L6- (CNS) Neurodegenerative Disease

Question 1

*What is the primary goal of stroke pharmacology?

a. To preserve the penumbra as much as possible
b. To improve release of glutamate
c. To speed up the ischemic cascade
d. To promote infarct size
e. None of the above

Answer 1

a. To preserve the penumbra as much as possible

Question 2

*Parkinson’s disease is associated with

a. Degeneration of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra
b. Loss of dopaminergic transmission to the striatum
c. Tremor at rest, bradykinesia, and postural instability
d. All of the above
e. None of the above

Answer 2

d. All of the above

Question 3

*Why is carbidopa usually given with levodopa for Parkinson’s patients?

a. To enhance conversion of levodopa to dopamine in the periphery
b. To reduce conversion of levodopa to dopamine in the periphery
c. To reduce brain conversion of levodopa to dopamine
d. To reduce levodopa entry through the blood brain barrier
e. To enhance dopamine entry through the blood brain barrier

Answer 3

b. To reduce conversion of levodopa to dopamine in the periphery

Question 4

*What class of drug is used for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease?

a. Cholinesterase inhibitors
b. Competitive NMDA receptor antagonists
c. AMPA receptor antagonists
d. All of the above
e. None of the above

Answer 4

a. Cholinesterase inhibitors

Question 5

What is the only currently approved drug for treatment of stroke?
A. NMDA receptor antagonists
B. free radical scavengers
C. blood clot disruptor tPA
D. Calcium channel blockers
E. there is no treatment

Answer 5

C. blood clot disruptor tPA

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a pharmacological treatment strategy for Parkinson’s disease?
A. increase levels of dopamine precursor
B. prevent dopamine degradation by COMT and MAO
C. increase release of dopamine
d. administer high levels of dopamine
e. none of the above

Answer 6

d. administer high levels of dopamine

Question 7

Parkinson’s disease is associated with ______________________.
A. degeneration of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra
B. Loss of dopaminergic transmission to the striatum
C. Tremor at rest, bradykinesia, and postural instability
D. All of the above
E. None of the above

Answer 7

D. All of the above

Question 8

What class of drug is used for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease?
A. Cholinesterase inhibitors
B. Competitive NMDA receptor antagonists
C. AMPA receptor antagonists
D. All of the above
E. none of the above

Answer 8

A. Cholinesterase inhibitors

Question 9

Select the correct mechanism of a stroke caused by necrosis

a. When hypoxia occurs, cells lyse and release glutamate and lysosomal enzymes. These enzymes cause inflammation and excitotoxity
b. Stroke is caused by a massive influx of calcium that results in an ischemic cascade
c. Oxidative damage occurs as a result of the restoration of blood flow.
d. Both A and C
e. None of the above

Answer 9

a. When hypoxia occurs, cells lyse and release glutamate and lysosomal enzymes. These enzymes cause inflammation and excitotoxity

Question 10

True or false: a penumbra is the area of tissue at the center of a stroke event that dies very quickly and is difficult to save

a. True
b. False

Answer 10

b. False

Question 11

The ischemic cascade of glutamate excitotoxicity is an example of

a. Negative feedback loop
b. Secondary messenger system
c. Positive feedback loop
d. Pinocytosis
e. None of the above

Answer 11

c. Positive feedback loop

Question 12

Neurological presentations of Parkinson’s includes all of the following EXCEPT:

a. Rigidity
b. Hyperkinesia
c. Tremor
d. postural disturbances.
e. All of the above are neurological presentations

Answer 12

b. Hyperkinesia

Question 13

What are 3 causes of cell death/injury in the event of a stroke?

Answer 13

1.) Necrosis → due to hypoxia

• cell lysis & releases glutamate & lysosomal enzymes
• inflammation, excitotoxicity

2.) Apoptosis → (in penumbra) due to glutamate & massive Ca2+ influx

• Ischemic cascade

3.) Reperfusion Injury → due to the restoration of blood flow

• Oxidative damage → free radicals

Question 14

There is a dramatic loss of ______ transmission in Alzheimer’s disease.

Degeneration of ______ pathways is seen in Parkinson’s disease.

Answer 14

Cholinergic; Dopaminergic Nigrostriatal

• There is a dramatic loss of cholinergic transmission in Alzheimer’s disease.*
• Degeneration of dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathways is seen in Parkinson’s disease.*