Neurodegenerative disorders Flashcards
What are the main symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease?
Tremor
Rigidity
Slow movements
Cognitive impairments in later stages
What causes Parkinson’s?
Loss of dopamine-producing neurons in a region of the brain called the substantia nigra,
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in controlling movement and coordination, among other functions.
Dopamine depletion means there is a reduced excitatory input into motor cortex
What is the Basal Gangria?
Circuit from the thalamus of the cortex
What are the symptoms of Huntingtons’s disease (HD)?
Hereditary
Chorea
Psychiatric issues
Cognitive impairment and decline
Dementia
Behavioural problems
How many people have HD?
2.7 per 100,000 people in 2012
Survival rate of HD?
10-20 years from onset of symptoms
What is Chorea?
Movement disorder characterised by incontrollable movements
Defining symptom for diagnosis
Describe inheritance of HD
Autosomal dominant disorder on chromosome 4
Not sex related condition
What causes HD?
Mutation in HTT gene leading to formation of toxic Hungtington Protein
Toxic protein aggregates in cells of the cerebrum which results in a loss of function
What is the other name for MD?
ALS -
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Describe MD
Progressive weakness of muscle
As we age there is a gradual loss of motor-neurones. 5% a year
This is selective loss of fast fatiguable motor units
Slower motor units expand and compensate for this
Disease is characterised by an accelerated version of this
What age group is MD more common in?
Middle age
Older adults
60s
What is the survival rate of MD?
3 year survival from onset of diagnosis
How common is MD?
2 per 100,000
