neurodegenerative disorder Flashcards
what are the two hallmarks of alzheimers pathology?
beta amyloid plaques
and
neurofibrillary tangles
what protein composes neurofibrillary tangles?
Tau protein
what is the normal function of the Tau protein?
it is involved with microtubuli system
Beta Amyloid segments come from what precursor?
Amyloid precursor Protein
How do Beta Amyloid plaques effect function?
the plaques form between nerve cells leading to a local, inflammatory tissue response
what enzyme cleaves the amyloid precursor protein?
Secretases
How does Familial (early onset) Alzheimers occur?
it is caused by mutations in the APP gene which encodes the precurosr proteins
otherwise it is due to a mutation in the gene that codes for the secretase enzymes which cleave it
what are the important risk factors for alzheimers disease?
Age is most important risk factor
history of traumatic injury to the brain
apolipoprotein E
what are the mild symptoms of alzheimers disease?
- confusion and memory loss
- personality changes
- judgment problems
- difficulties with routine tasks
- getting lost or disoriented in familiar places
what are the severe symptoms of alzheimers disease?
loss of speech
loss of appetite
loss of bladder/bowel control
complete dependence on caregiver
what is the first line treatment for alzheimers?
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
- address loss of cholinergic neurotransmission and Ach synthesizing neurons in subcortical nuclei of the basal forebrain
- delays deterioration by 1 year in 20% of patients
what is the second line of treatment for alzheimers disease?
NMDA receptor antagonists
address the innapropriate glutamate overactivity
What is Creutzfeld Jakob’s disease?
it is a prion disease - that leads to development of plaques in the brain and neurodegeneration with characteristic “holes” in the brain
what are the symptoms of Creutzfeld Jakob’s disease?
loss of memory, mood changes, feeling clumsy, jerky movements, stiffness of limbs, loss of ability to move/speak
it is untreatable and fatal
huntingtons Disease is due to what?
degeneration of GABAergic neurons in the striatum
