Neurodegenerative Diseases

Question 1

Three hallmarks of Alzheimer pathology

Answer 1

1) Decreased cholinergic transmission in the hippocampus (memory center) and frontal cortex (executive function/decision making)
2) Amyloid plaques (amyloid beta)
3) Neurofibrillary tangles (hyperphosphorylated tau)

Question 2

Do any of the alzheimer medications halt the disease?

Answer 2

No.

Question 3

This gene is used to predict risk for Alzheimer’s

Answer 3

ApoE (gene that helps clear the plaques)

ApoE2- Lower AD risk
ApoE3- Normal risk
ApoE4- High risk
    -> 1 copy = 3x risk
    -> 2 copies = 12-15x risk

Question 4

APP stands for

Answer 4

Amyloid precursor protein

Question 5

Early onset AD is usually due to

Answer 5

Genetic factors

Question 6

Early onset is defined as developing AD before age

Answer 6

60

Question 7

Parkinson’s is characterized by

Answer 7

Muscle rigidity, tremor at rest, difficulty starting and stopping movement, cognitive impairments and depression

Question 8

Parkinson symptoms won’t occur until ___% of neurons between _____ and ______ are lost

Answer 8

70%

Substantia nigra and striatum

Question 9

What is the hallmark of PD?

Answer 9

Lewy Bodies

Question 10

What are Lewy bodies?

Answer 10

Protein aggregates composed of alpha-synuclein protein. The function of this protein is unclear. It may function at synapses or ER-golgi trafficking.

Question 11

SE of Carbidopa/levodopa.

Answer 11

Nausea, anorexia, hypotension, and psychosis (schizophrenia-like symptoms due to excess dopamine)