NeuroPathology - Lecture Seven Objectives - Parkinson's & Huntington's

Question 1

What are the motor findings in Parkinson’s?

Answer 1

Bradykinesia, resting tremor, rigidity, and postural instability // dementia

Question 2

Where does damage occur that leads to Parkinson’s?

Answer 2

substantia nigra

Question 3

What happens in the substantia nigra that leads to Parkinson’s?

Answer 3

decrease in dopamine // hypokinetic disorder

Question 4

What proteinopathy is associated with Parkinson’s disease in the substantia nigra?

Answer 4

α-synuclein which forms Lewy bodies → dopamine deficiency

Question 5

What type of tremors are associated with Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 5

resting tremor // pill rolling

Question 6

what are some positive prognostic factors for Parkinson;s?

Answer 6

earlier age of onset, relatively preserved mental status, family history

Question 7

what are some non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s?

Answer 7

dementia, psychosis, mood disorders, sleep disturbances, fatigue, pain/sensory dysfunction, olfactory/GI/autonomic dysfunction, dermatologic findings

Question 8

what is a way you can prevent Parkinson’s?

Answer 8

exercise as it promotes secretion of growth factors in CNS that contribute to survival/neuroplasticity of dopaminergic neurons

Question 9

What is Huntington’s disease?

Answer 9

An inherited, degenerative neurological disease that causes:
• Choreiform movement: brief, purposeless, involuntary, and random – at rest and during motion
• Dementia
• Behavioral changes

Question 10

What are the motor findings in Huntington’s?

Answer 10

dystonia, athetosis, chorea, ballismus, myoclonus, tics, and tremors

Question 11

what is the proteinopathy associated with Huntington’s?

Answer 11

mutated huntingtin protein accumulates and causes neuron death in caudate and putamen

Question 12

what happens in the caudate and putamen that leads to Huntington’s?

Answer 12

decrease in Ach // hyperkinetic disorder