Parkinson's

Question 1

Basal ganglia main function

Answer 1

Initiation and modulation of movements

Question 2

Pyramidal movement disorders

Answer 2

Pyramidal weakness
Spasticity

Question 3

Hyperkinetic movement disorders

Answer 3

Dystonia
Tics
Myoclonus
Chorea
Tremor

Question 4

Hypokinetic movement disorders

Answer 4

Parkinsonism
Parkinson’s disease

Question 5

Main features of Parkinson’s disease

Answer 5

Bradykinesia in initiation + modulation of movements and progressive reduction in the speed and amplitude of sequential movement

Associated muscular rigidity
Often a coarse slow pilling rolling tremor

Question 6

Pathological features of Parkinson’s disease

Answer 6

Loss of the normally black pigment in the substantia nigra and locus coeruleus
Pigment loss correlates with dopaminergic cell loss

Question 7

Non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s

Answer 7

Sleep disorders
Hallucinations
GI dysfunction
Depression
Cognitive impairment / dementia
Anosmia

Question 8

Motor symptoms of Parkinson’s

Answer 8

Tremor
Bradykinesia
Rigidity
Postural instability

Question 9

Why are DATSCANs used?

Answer 9

To distinguish between an essential tremor and a Parkinsonism tremor

Question 10

Environmental risk factors of Parkinson’s

Answer 10

Pesticide exposure
Prior head injury
Rural living
Beta-blocker use
Agricultural occupation
Well water drinking

Question 11

Main treatment for Parkinson’s symptoms (no disease-modifying drugs exist)

Answer 11

Levodopa