Parkinson's Disease

Question 1

What is Parkinson’s Disease?

Answer 1

It is a neurodegenerative disorder that results from the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the part of the brain called the substantia nigra which produces dopamine. Dopamine is responsible for body movement, and resulting in a relative cholinergic excess.

Question 2

What are the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease?

Answer 2

involuntary shaking (tremor)
slow movement
stiff and inflexible muscles
memory problems
anosmia
insomnia

Question 3

Other causes of PD?

Answer 3

• medication (psychotic meds) improves when stops taking meds - other progressive brain conditions
• cerebrovascular disease

Question 4

How does PD affect the eyes?

Answer 4

blurred vision
diplopia (30%)
changes in eye movement
dry eye
blepharospasm (subconscious blinking)
visual hallucinations
glaucoma (due to anticholinergic drugs)
retinal thinning (accumulation of alpha-synuclein in the retinal tissue)

Question 5

Drugs used to treat PD?

Answer 5

levodopa
dopamine agonists
COMT inhibitors
monoamine oxide-B inhibitors
anticholinergic drugs
amantadine