Neurological Disorders Flashcards
what are some of the secondary causes of parkinsons disease
drug induced, vascular and progressive supra nuclear palsy
what is the pathology behind parkinsons disease
Lewy body deposition in the substania nigra causing a reduction in dopamine leading to less cortical motor stimulation
what is the main treatment for parkinsons
Levodopa
how does levodopa work
L-DOPA crosses the BBB where it is then converted into dopamine by dopaminergic cells
why is L-DOPA given instead dopamine
dopamine cant cross the BBB
what must be given with L-DOPA
DOPA decarboxylase the prevent the L-DOPA being converted into dopamine in the peripheries
why does levodopa work less as the disease progresses
there is a loss of dopaminergic cells and so there is less conversion of L-DOPA to dopamine
what are some of the side effects of dopamine receptor agonists
impulse control disorders e.g.gambling and compulsive shopping
hallucinations, confusion, nausea and hypotension
what are some side effects of L-DOPA
nausea, hypotension, psychosis, tachycardia, motor complications
name 3 types of less used parkinsons treatments
MAOI B inhibitors
COMT inhibitors
anticholingerics
what is myasthenia gravis
autoimmune disease against AChR
what is the presentation of myasthenia gravis
fatiguable muscle weakness affecting the extra ocular muscles, limbs and respiratory muscles in particular
what is a myasthenic crisis
complication due to under treatment
what is a cholingeric crisis
complication due to under treatment
how do complications os MG present
extreme weakness, face drooping, inability to swallow and drooling
