Introduction to Parkinson's Disease Flashcards
Where does the destruction of neurones take place in Parkinson’s Disease?
Substantia nigra.
How many substantia nigra do you have?
2.
Where are the substantia nigra found?
One on each side of the Basal ganglia.
State 1 function of the basal ganglia?
Controls movement. Connects to the motor cortex.
What part of the substantia nigra is affected in Parkinson’s Disease?
Pars compacta.
What pathway is affected in Parkinson’s Disease?
Nigrostriatal pathway
The Nigrostriatal pathway connects what to what?
Pars compacta to the striatum (more specifically the putamen).
What colour highlights the substantia nigra?
Black.
State 2 signs/symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Psychiatric e.g. depression. Sleep disturbances. Autonomic dysfunction e.g. hypotension. Reduced olfactory sense e.g. change of smell.
State 2 complications of Parkinson’s disease.
Freezing phenomenon e.g. bradykinesia, akinesia (pauses in movement). Falls. Dystonia (painful posturing). Dementia.
State 3 motor features of Parkinson’s Disease.
Tremor. Rigidity. Akinesia (loss of power of voluntary movement). Postural changes (stooped). Stare.
What is the mneumonic?
TRAPS.
State 3 non-motor features of Parkinson’s Disease.
Changes in sense of smell. Sleep difficulties. Cognitive impairment. Depression/ anxiety. Mood disturbances. Reduced motor learning ability. Constipation.
What stages do you experience problems with smell?
Stages 1 + 2.
What stages do you experience problems with sleep or motor impairments?
Stages 3 + 4.
What stages do you experience problems with your cognitive ability?
Stages 5 + 6.
State a way Parkinson’s Disease is diagnosed.
Clinical presentation e.g. resting tremors. Postmortem autopsy e.g. loss of pigmented dopaminergic neurones of substantia nigra pars compacta.
Name a gene linked to Parkinson’s Disease.
PINK 1. Parkin. Alpha synuclein genes.
State 3 of the treatments used to treat Parkinson’s Disease.
Dopamine agonists. Dopamine replacement. MAO-B inhibitors. COMT inhibitors. Anticholinergic inhibitors. Amantadine (anti-viral). Surgery.
State 2 dopamine agonists.
Bromocriptine. Pramipexole. Ropinirole.
State a MAO-inhibitor.
Selegiline.
State a COMT inhibitor.
Entacapone. Tolcapone.
State an anticholinergic.
Benztropine.
What does an anticholinergic do?
Restores neurochemical balance.
What does deep brain stimulation do in treating Parkinson’s Disease?
Stimulates the basal ganglia - increase output and reduce motor symptoms.
