L22 Flashcards

1
Q

explain neurodegeneration, what illnesses its linked to, and how it could be controlled

A
  • Resulting from excessive glutamate/ Ca+
    • NMDA receptors involved
    • Linked to
      ○ Ischemia
      ○ Traumatic brain injuries
      ○ Alzheimer’s disease
      ○ MNDS
    • Controlling it
      ○ Retard neuronal death in the affected areas
      Glutamate receptor antagonists + inhibitors downstream of receptor activation
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2
Q

explain alzheimers disease

A
  • Cholinergic (means uses Ach as neurotransmitter) neurons in basal forebrain nucleus + hippocampus degenerate
    • Cholinergic terminals in cortex lost
    • (obvious solution is the increase Ach neurotransmitters in brain, used before, doesn’t work)
  • Brain shrinks- plaques + tangles block communication between brain cells
    • Progressively lose memory + cognitive function
    • Inability to carry out activities + daily living
  • Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors + memantine (is a NMDA receptor antagonist, stops glutamate from binding, stopping Ca+ entering) the only drugs approved for treating Alzheimer’s disease
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3
Q

define plaques and intraneuronal

A

○ Plaques
§ Extracellular morphous extracellular deposits of beta amyloid protein
○ Intraneuronal
neurofibrillary tangles, comprising filaments of a phosphorylated form of microtubule associated protein

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4
Q

explain cholinergic neurons

A
  • Neurons that use Ach as neurotransmitter
    • Found in brain
    • Control cognitive, arousal, memory, motor control, learning
      In peripheral, involved with voluntary control of movement + autonomic nervous system
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5
Q

explain the breakdown of acetylcholine

A
  • Ach broken down to acetate + choline by Ach esterase, so choline recycled
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6
Q

explain the poisoning via acetylcholinesterase inhibitor

A
  • Leads to accumulation of Ach in the synaptic cleft, resulting in over stimulation of nicotine + muscarinic Ach receptors and impeded neurotransmission
    Typical symptoms are agitation, muscle weakness, hypersalivation, sweating
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7
Q

explain ALS

A
  • Most common motor neuron disease is ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
    ○ More common in males
    ○ Appears after 50yrs
    ○ Affects both upper + lower motor neurons
    § Neurons in brain + spinal cord
    § Which affect muscles of arms, legs, mouth, respiratory system
    § Symptoms- weight loss, slurred speech, difficulty breathing
    Patients live for 3-5yrs after diagnosis, with care could be 10+ yrs
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8
Q

explain the motor response from the LMN

A
  • Provides input to lower motor neurons
    1. Local circuit neurons
    2. Upper motor neurons
    3. Basal nuclei neurons
    Cerebellar neurons
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