Parkinson’s Flashcards
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition resulting from the death of ______________ of the ___________ in the brain.
dopaminergic cells
substantia nigra
Parkinson’s disease is a _________ _____________ condition resulting from the death of dopaminergic cells of the substantia nigra in the brain.
Progressive
Neurodegenerative
Do patients with Parkinson’s disease typically have resting tremor or intention tremor?
Resting tremor
Patients with Parkinson’s disease classically present with motor-symptoms including ___________, __________, __________, _________, and _____________.
hypokinesia
bradykinesia
rigidity
rest tremor
postural instability
What are the typical non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease? (7)
- Dementia
- Depression
- Sleep disturbances
- Bladder and bowel dysfunction
- Speech and language changes
- Swallowing problems
- Weight loss
When Parkinson’s disease diagnosis is confirmed, patients should be advised to inform the ________ and their ________.
DVLA
car insurer
What is the non-pharmacological management of Parkinson’s? (4)
- PT if balance or motor function problems are present
- SLT if patients develop communication, swallowing, or saliva problems
- OT if they experience difficulties with ADLs
- Dietitian referral should also be considered
What is the first-line treatment of Parkinson’s in patients whose motor symptoms DECREASE their quality of life?
Levodopa + Carbidopa (co-careldopa)
Or
Levodopa + Benserazide (co-beneldopa)
What is the first-line treatment of Parkinson’s in patients whose motor symptoms DO NOT decrease their quality of life?
Choice of:
- levodopa
- non-ergot-derived dopamine receptor agonists (pramipexole, ropinerole, rotigotine)
- MAO-B inhibitors (rasagiline, selegiline)
Which drugs are in the class of non-ergot-derived dopamine receptor agonists (3) and what are they used for?
First line treatment in patients with PD that does NOT significantly effect QoL
- Pramipexole
- Ropinirole
- Rotigotine
What are the two MAO-B inhibitors that are used in the treatment of Parkinson’s?
- Rasagiline
2. Selegiline
Patients and their carers should be informed about the risk of adverse reactions from antiparkinsonian drugs, including ____________ symptoms, excessive ____________ and sudden onset of _____________ with dopamine-receptor agonists, and ______________ disorders with all dopaminergic therapy (especially dopamine-receptor agonists)
psychotic
sleepiness
sleep
impulse control
Levodopa treatment is associated with motor complications, including _____________ and ____________.
response fluctuations
dyskinesias
Response fluctuations in patients taking levodopa are characterised by ______________, with ____________ during the ‘on’ period, and ____________ during the ‘off’ period.
large variations in motor performance
normal function
weakness and restricted mobility
‘End-of-dose’ deterioration with _________________ can also occur in patients taking Levodopa
progressively shorter duration of benefit
____________ preparations of levodopa may help with ‘end-of-dose’ deterioration or nocturnal immobility.
Modified-release
Modified-release preparations of levodopa may help with ______________ or ______________.
‘end-of-dose’ deterioration
nocturnal immobility
The overall improvement in motor performance is more noticeable with ______________ (levodopa/dopamine-receptor agonists) than with _______________ (levodopa/dopamine-receptor agonists), and motor complications are less likely to occur with ______________ (levodopa/dopamine-receptor agonists) when used alone long-term.
Levodopa
Dopamine-receptor agonists
Dopamine-receptor agonists
Excessive sleepiness, hallucinations, and impulse control disorders are more likely to occur with ______________ (levodopa/dopamine-receptor agonists) than with ______________ (levodopa/dopamine-receptor agonists).
Dopamine-receptor agonists
Levodopa
__________________ side effects are more likely to occur with levodopa, while _______________ side effects are more likely to occur with dopamine-receptor agonists
Motor
Neuropsychiatric (eg sleepiness, hallucinations, and impulse control disorders)
To avoid the potential for ____________ or _______________, antiparkinsonian drug concentrations should not be allowed to fall suddenly due to poor absorption or abrupt withdrawal
acute akinesia
neuroleptic malignant syndrome
To avoid the potential for acute akinesia or neuroleptic malignant syndrome, antiparkinsonian drug concentrations should not be allowed to ____________
fall suddenly (due to poor absorption or abrupt withdrawal)
If a patient with Parkinson’s disease develops ___________ or ____________, specialist advice should be sought before modifying antiparkinsonian drug therapy
dyskinesia
motor fluctuations
Patients who develop dyskinesia or motor fluctuations despite optimal levodopa therapy should be offered a choice of _____________, ____________, or ______________ as an adjunct to levodopa.
non-ergotic dopamine-receptor agonists (pramipexole, ropinirole, rotigotine)
monoamine oxidase B inhibitors (rasagiline or selegiline hydrochloride)
COMT inhibitors (entacapone or tolcapone)
COMT inhibitors include… (2)
Entacapone
Tolcapone
What is the mechanism of action of COMT inhibitors?
Inhibition of COMT leads to halt of peripheral degradation of levodopa, allowing a higher concentration to cross the BBB
What is the mechanism of action of MAO-B inhibitors?
Inhibits breakdown of dopamine in the CNS (vs COMT which inhibits breakdown peripherally)
MAO-B inhibitors include rasagiline and selegiline
What are the ergot-derived dopamine receptor agonists? (3)
Bromocriptine
Cabergoline
Pergolide
An ergot-derived dopamine-receptor agonist (bromocriptine, cabergoline or pergolide) should only be considered as an adjunct to levodopa if _______________
symptoms are not adequately controlled with a non-ergot-derived dopamine-receptor agonist
If dyskinesia in patients with PD is not adequately managed by modifying existing therapy, _____________ should be considered.
amantadine hydrochloride
If reversible pharmacological and physical causes of daytime sleepiness or sudden onset of sleep have been excluded in patients with PD, _______________ should be considered
modafinil; treatment should be reviewed at least every 12 months
What advice should be given to patients with Parkinson’s who have daytime sleepiness or sudden onset of sleep?
Should be advised not to drive, to inform the DVLA of their symptoms, and to consider any occupational hazards
What are first-line options for treating nocturnal akinesia in patients with PD? (2)
First line:
- Levodopa
- Oral dopamine-receptor agonists (pramipexole, ropinerole)
Second line:
- rotigotine (dopamine-receptor agonist, NOT oral)
What is the management of patients with PD who develop postural hypotension? (3)
- Review of drug treatment
- If drug therapy is required, midodrine should be considered first-line
- Fludrocortisone (unlicensed) may be used if midodrine is ineffective