Neurodegenerative Disorders

Question 1

Describe features of dementia with Lewy Bodies

Answer 1

• Accumulation of alpha synuclein in lewy bodies.

- Three core features of fluctuating cognition, parkinsonism and visual hallucinations

Question 2

What is a common cause of foot drop?

Answer 2

L5 lesion

Question 3

What is the treatment for motor neuron disease?

Answer 3

Riluzole

Question 4

Describe features of Parkinson’s disease

Answer 4

• Depletion of dopamine in the basal ganglia.
• Presents with a classic triad of symptoms: Bradykinesia, resting tremor/intention and rigidity
• Presents with a pill rolling, resting tremor. Micromimia, shuffling gait, can develop cognitive decline.
• Treat with levadopa. Main side effects are dystonia and chorea

Question 5

What is parkinsonism?

Answer 5

When a disease produces Parkinson’s disease symptoms. Eg, lewy body

Question 6

Describe features of Huntington’s disease

Answer 6

Autosomal dominant condition with a triad of dominant inheritance, choreoathetosis and dementia.
- Typically presents cognitive, psychiatric or mood problems followed by movement disorder; Chorea, eye movement disorder, dysarthria and dysphagia