Normal and abnormal function of basal ganglia. Parkinson's, Huntington's part 2

Question 1

Neurodegenerative vs psychiatric brain diseases

Answer 1

Neurogenerative- loss of neurons. disrupted motor function. May also include changes in behaviour

Psychiatric- NO obvious loss of neurones but may show some structural changes. Change in behaviour

Question 2

What movement disorders are associated with Upper Motor neuron Disorders (cranium or spinal cord)

Answer 2

Stroke
Multiple Sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Question 3

what movement disorders are associated with Lower Motor Neuron Disorders (outside the brain)

Answer 3

Peripheral neuropathy

Myasthenia gravis

Question 4

What movement disorders are associated with Involuntary Movement Disorders (basal ganglia)

Answer 4

Parkinsons
Huntingtons
tremor

Question 5

What movement disorders are associated with Cerebellar disorders

Answer 5

Various tumours

Question 6

Symptoms of Prakinson’s

Answer 6

Poor slow movement (bradykinesia)
Postural abnormalities
Rigid posture
Mask-like expression
Lack or rigidity of movement (Akinesia)
Tremor

Question 7

what is the main neurochemical effect of Parkinson’s

Answer 7

Loss of striata dopamine

Question 8

role of basal ganglia

Answer 8

Programming of movement. decides how, when and where

Question 9

In which dopamine pathway does Parkinson’s occur

Answer 9

Nigrostriatal pathway

This is from substantial nigra to dorsal striatum

Question 10

How can you see Parkinson’s disease in brain

Answer 10

Loss of darkening of substantia nigra

Question 11

What is the effect of decrease in dopamine in striatum in Parkinson’s

Answer 11

Motor impairment

Question 12

What is the effect of loss of dopamine in mesolimbic areas in Parkinson’s

Answer 12

Changes in mood (psychiatric)

Question 13

Effect of decreased hypothalamic amines in Parkinson’s

Answer 13

decrease in endocrine function

Question 14

Effect of decreased cortical noradrenaline and Ach

Answer 14

Cognitive loss

Question 15

Effect of decreased neuropeptides in striatum (CCK8, Substance P, Enkephalins)

Answer 15

Decreased motor impairment

Question 16

How to diagnose Parkinson’s by imaging

Answer 16

Visualise and quantify dopaminergic neurones using radioactive ligands which bind to dopamine transporter proteins. The less red there is in the imaging, the more severe the disease

Question 17

What may neuronal cell death be due to in Parkinsons

Answer 17

Oxidative stress
Mitochondrial dysfunction
Proteosome dysfunction

Question 18

What cells are found in Parkinsons disease

Answer 18

Lewy bodies- eosinophilic inclusions in neurons. they aggregate to form fibrils and may contribute to dementia