Movement disorders Flashcards
In movement disorders what are the three anatomical areas there could be problems with?
Corticospinal/pyramidal tract
Basal Ganglia
Cerebellum
What are the three features of Parkinsonism?
Akinesia
Tremor
Rigidity
What is akinesia?
Slowness of movement (bradykinesia) or difficulty initiating movement with small amplitude of movements (hypokinesia)
What is the tremor in Parkinsonism?
4-6Hz tremor, described as “pill-rolling tremor”
If Parkinsonism will have a positive DAT scan TRUE/FALSE
TRUE
What is Parkinson’s disease?
Common and complex progressive neurodegenerative movement disorder
I am Parkinsons disease
OLD >55 (more common with age)
Male ( Males 1.5x likely to develop)
80% will have dementia after 15-20years of Parkinson’s disease - Must have Parkinsonism for how long prior?
1 year
What is Parkinson’s disease characterised by?
Levodopa responsive parkinsonism
Histopathologically what is Parkinson’s disease characterised by?
Dopaminergic neuron loss in the substantial nigra pars compacta
Lewy Bodies
Postural instability is an early feature of Parkinson’s disease TRUE/FALSE
FALSE
In parkinsons non-motor symptoms are disabling and often preceed motor symptoms. Name them
Depression Sleep disturbances Dementia Hallucinations Anosmia Cognitive impairment GI dysfunction
TRUE/FALSE
Symptoms are asymmetrical in PD whereas often symmetry in drug induced or atypical PD
TRUE
There is nothing to stop the neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease TRUE/FALSE
TRUE sadly
How does the symptomatic drug treatment for Parkinson’s work?
Increase dopamine concentration
OR
Directly stimulate dopamine receptors
What is the mode of action of levodopa?
Crosses BBB and converted to dopamine
What are the SE of levodopa?
Hypotension
Nausea
Dyskinesia
What do the benefits of levodopa look like?
Initially smooth throughout the day (honeymoon period)
Over time patients notice akinesia or wearing off their doses, and around the same time may develop an “overshoot” from akinesia to dyskinesia when the dose is working
How do MOAB inhibitors work?
Inhibit monoamine oxidase B (an enzyme responsible for catabolising dopamine to homovanillic acid)
How do dopamine agonists work?
Cross BBB
Act directly on dopamine (D2 type) receptors
With what drug can you get a hypertensive crisis when consuming tyramine-containing foods?
MOAB
Why might Dopamine agonists be considered for 1st line in younger patients with Parkinson’s?
Due to high risk of dyskinesia in younger patients using levodopa
Why are dopamine agonists not prescribed to the elderly?
Associated with hallucinations
With drug induced Parkinsonism what is the treatment?
Cessation of causative drug
If on typical antipsychotic change to atypical due to lower risk of extrapyramidal symptoms
Anticholinergics e.g. Benztropine & procyclidine (can be used for symptomatic relief)
What is Lewy body dementia?
Dementia/cognitive symptoms occurring before/same time as parkinsonism
What are the three core features of Lewy body dementia?
Dementia
Recurrent visual hallucinations
Parkinsonism features
REM sleep behaviour disorder may also be present in Lewy body dementia. What is REM sleep behaviour disorder>
Acting out their dreams, purposeful movement
What are Lewy bodies?
Aggregates of a-synuclein and ubiquitin
Single/multiple intracytoplasmic, eosinophilic, round to elongated bodies that have a dense core and a pale surrounding halo
What is the treatment for Lewy body dementia?
Cholinesterase inhibitors
Multiple system atrophy has a good response to levodopa TRUE/FALSE
This is a lie
Poor levodopa response
What does multiple system atrophy present as?
Autonomic dysfunction and/or cerebellar dysfunction
What is the MRI appearance of multiple system atrophy?
Putaminal atrophy
“Hot-cross bun” appearance of pons in the axial section