Parkinson's Disease Flashcards
Paralysis Agitans
First described by James Parkinson in 1817 in his “Essay on Shaky Palsy” Renamed Parkinson’s Disease by Charcot
3 Elements of Parkinson’s Disease
Rigidity-high level of muscle tonous
Akinesia-unable to execute desired movements
Tremor-from neck down
Causes of Parkinsonism
Spanish Flu Drug Induced (MPTP) Coal Gas Poisoning Manganese Poisoning Vascular Problems Tumors Syphilis Parkinsonism pugilistica Genetics
Idiopathic Parkinsonism (Parkinson’s Disease)
Don’t know where it comes from. Most common neurodegenerative disease and the most common degenerative disease effecting the motor system. Usually occurs late in life. Progressive Disease with an average survival time of 9 years.
Oliver Sacks
Doctor at Long Island Jewish Hospital. Treated the “frozen addicts” with high levels of L-Dopa to unfreeze them.
Bradykinesia
a general slowness in initiating voluntary movements such as standing up from a chair or eating.
a general slowness in initiating voluntary movements such as standing up from a chair or eating
Bradykinesia
Hypokinesia
an abnormally low amount of movement. Patient sits very still, with a blank, mask like expression, and little eye blinking.
an abnormally low amount of movement. Patient sits very still, with a blank, mask like expression and little eye blinking
Hypokinesia
Akinesia
Lack of movement
Lack of movement
Akinesia
Ataxia
Problems with balance
Lack of balance
Ataxia
Which part of the brain is effected in Parkinson’s Disease/.
Substantia Nigra, the main spot for producing dopamine.
What were the first successful treatments for PD?
Anticholinergic drugs
scopolamine
Treat tremor, but agitate cognitive problems
What has been the most common treatment of PD?
L-Dopa-could get through the blood brain barrier.
Had adverse side effects and a small threshold window
What did they add to help with L-Dopa?
Dopa Decarboxylase inhibitor. Doses of L-Dopa could be cut by 75-80%
Central Side Effects of L-Dopa
Psychotic
Depressive
Dyskinesias
How have MAO inhibitors helped PD?
Slows down progression of disease. Prevents breakdown of Dopamine. May allow dopamine to act longer following its synthesis.
Dopamine antagonists
Used before L-Dopa. Has adverse side effects. Mimic Dopamine.
COMT-Inhibitors
Prevent break down of dopamine
Tissue Graftss
Chromaffin cells from the adrenal gland (kidney)
Fetal tissue transplant from ventral mesencephalon
Embryonic Stem Cells
Balance Theory
Parkinson’s Disease
Ach>Dopamine
Huntington’s Disease
Dopamine>Ach
