Parkinson's Disease

Question 1

PD was first described as the () by James Parkinson

Answer 1

shaking palsy

Question 2

risk factors associated with PD (5)

Answer 2

1. age (> 50 yo)
2. gender (men > women)
3. genetics
4. pesticide exposure
5. TBI

Question 3

critical brain region in PD

Answer 3

substantia nigra

Question 4

at time of diagnosis, usually approx. 80% of () have already died

Answer 4

dopaminergic neurons

Question 5

90-95% of PD cases are (1), the remaining are (2)

Answer 5

1. sporadic/idiopathic
2. genetic (autosomal dominant or recessive) -> PARK1-15

Question 6

protein aggregate in PD -> typically found in neurons’ presynaptic terminals; most abundant protein in the brain

Answer 6

alpha-synuclein

Question 7

end stage pathologic form of alpha synuclein

Answer 7

Lewy body

Question 8

main treatment strategies for PD

Answer 8

1. DA agonists
2. MAO-B (monoamine oxidase-B) inhibitors
3. L-DOPA (DA precursor, BBB permeable)

Question 9

treatment type that is useful as monotherapy during earlier stage of PD, but has side effects like nausea and psychosis

Answer 9

DA agonists

Question 10

treatment type that prevents degradation of DA

Answer 10

MAO-B inhibitors

Question 11

the idea that the PD (and other synucleopathies) spread throughout the NS in a predictable manner

Answer 11

Braak’s hypothesis

Question 12

misfolded a-syn can be transmitted from the gut to the brain via the ()

Answer 12

vagus nerve

Question 13

examples of behavioral tests for PD mice models

Answer 13

rotarod, pole, grip strength