Parkinson's Disease

Question 1

What are the cardinal symptoms of PD?

Answer 1

TRAP -
Tremor
Rigidity 
Akinesia / Bradykinesia
Postural instability

Question 2

Which area of the brain produces dopamine?

Answer 2

Substantia nigra

Question 4

T/F the direct pathway is glutamatergic

Answer 4

False - it releases GABA to the output nuclei, which inhibits GABA release to the thalamus

Question 5

Which protein is involved in PD?

Answer 5

Alpha-synuclein

Question 6

Where are the D1 and D2 receptors located?

Answer 6

Striatum

Question 7

What is the pathology of PD?

Answer 7

Gradual depletion of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra

Question 8

Which pathway degenerates in PD

Answer 8

Nigrostriatal pathway -
Dopamine released from substantia nigra to the striatum where it binds to D1 and D2 receptors
D1 - direct pathway = causes voluntary movement
D2 - indirect pathway = inhibits voluntary movement

Question 9

Which enzymes metabolise dopamine in the periphery?

Answer 9

AADC - Peripheral Amino Acid Decarboxylase Enzymes

COMT - Catocol o-Methyl Transferase

Question 10

How are dopamine levels regulated in the CNS?

Answer 10

Dopamine is recycled from the synaptic cleft back to the post synaptic neuron via dopamine transporter
Dopamine is taken up by glia cells and metabolised by MAO-B and COMT

Question 11

Which amino acid is converted to dopamine?

Answer 11

Tyrosine - L-dopa - Dopamine