Nervous system

Question 1

Alzheimer’s Disease Causes

Answer 1

For the majority it is not known why some develop the disease and others do not.

Sporadic: 90%+ of cases of which most occur in ages 65+. The cause for this kind is unknown

Familial: linked to changes in genes that cause an increase in production of the protein amyloid.

A number of risk factors have Been found to be linked to Alzheimer’s.
Age. Genetics. Brain risk factors(mental activity) and heart risk factors.

Question 2

Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis

Answer 2

Made by a professional only after careful clinical consultation which can include things such as: neurological tests, blood and urine tests, psychiatric assessment, medical imaging (PET and MRI)

Question 3

Alzheimer’s Disease symptoms

Answer 3

Disease starts slowly but it’s progressive symptoms will worsen and become more noticeable in everyday life

Deterioration of social skills
Memory difficulties(recent)
Loss of enthusiasm for previous enjoyed things
Vagueness in everyday conversations and language difficulties.
Emotionally unpredictable.
Taking longer to do routine tasks.
Forgetting well known people or places
Struggle to process instructions of questions.

Question 4

Alzheimer’s Disease management methods

Answer 4

Currently there is no cure or treatment to stop the profession of Alzheimer’s. However there are drugs such as cholinesterase and meantime which aid to temporarily increase cognitive function and decrease the decline in thinking ability and memory

Question 5

Alzheimer’s Disease: Future Treatments

Answer 5

Two are focused on beta amyloid:
Immunisation: injections of anti-amyloid anti bodies
Production blockers which help reduce build up of plaque

Also looking into ways to stop the tau from tangling as well as reduce low-level brain inflammation

Question 6

Parkinson’s Disease

Answer 6

A progressive neurological disorder in which there is a degeneration of the nerve cells that produce dopamine found in the middle part of the brain (basal ganglia) which leads to low levels of dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter responsible for controlled smooth muscle movements.

Parkinson’s effects 1 in 100 people over the age of 60

Question 7

Parkinson’s Disease : causes

Answer 7

Currently no known cause or understand as to why a person will develop Parkinson’s, however there are a number of theories being studied: pesticides, toxins, chemicals, genetic factors, head trauma

Question 8

Parkinson’s Disease: Symptoms

Answer 8

No standard diagnostic tests for the disease

The lack of dopamine can mean sufferers will have difficulty with moving freely and controlling their movements.
As the disease is progressive symptoms worsen with time:
Stooped posture
Shuffling gait
Micrographia (small hand writing)
Lethargy
Tremor (shaking)
Rigidity (muscle stiffness)
Bradykinesia (slowness of movement)
Freezing

Non motor symptoms are also common, things such as problems with sleep and memory as well as depression and pain

Question 9

Parkinson’s Disease Management methods

Answer 9

Symptoms vary between patients and change with the progressive nature of the disease. Methods of management include:
Multidisciplinary therapy: exercise, physio, diet, counselling

Neurosurgery: only for candidates who suffice strict criteria. Involves creation lesions on parts of the brain in order to alleviate some symptoms.

Medication: medications include those that work to replace the lost dopamine and others to inhibit the rate at which dopamine is lost and also inhibit the effect of acetylcholine.
Eh Levodopa-dopamine replacement therapy
COMT inhibitors-inhibits the COMT enzyme that breaks down levodopa

dopamine agonists- mimic the effect of dopamine in the brain

Anticholinergics - block the effect of acetylcholine.
Amantadine - anticholinergic and improves dopamine transmission

MAO type B inhibitors - prevent the metabolism of dopamine within the brain.

Question 10

Parkinson’s Disease Future Treatments:

Answer 10

Stemcell: looking into the replacement of dopamine-producing cells in the brain by healthy cells derived from stem cells in a lab. Could lead to a cure

Gene therapy:could prevent the death of nerve cells and promote the regeneration of cells. Would most likely be used in early stages where the nerve cells are still alive

Question 11

Alzheimer’s Disease

Answer 11

Most common form of dimentia. It is a physical disease of the brain - leads to progressive damage of brain cells which causes dimentia.

Occurs when the protein beta-amyloid creates amyloid plaques on the outside of brain cells while inside the cell another protein tau builds up. This damages connections between brain cells which eventually die