Parkinson's Disease

Question 1

what is the substantia nigra

Answer 1

motor center that relays inhibitory signals to the thalamus & basal nuclei, preventing unwanted body movement

Question 2

what does degeneration of neurons in the substantia nigra lead to

Answer 2

leads to muscle tremors of parkinsons disease

Question 3

dorsal part of substantia nigra contains cells that use _____ as a neurotransmitter

Answer 3

dopamine

Question 4

what is the nigrostrital pathway

Answer 4

axon of the substantia nigra form the nigrostrital pathway which supplies dopamine to the striatum

Question 5

what type of disease is Parkinsons

Answer 5

progressive neurodegenerative disease

-that causes deterioration of the nervous systems cells & their functioning

Question 6

parkinsons is 4th monts common neurodegneratvie disease in canada and affets more ____ than ____

Answer 6

men than women

Question 7

symptoms of parkinsons normally become evident in the

Answer 7

fifth decade of life, however may mnfst earlier

Question 8

Etiology of parkinsons

Answer 8

generally considered idiopathic

Question 9

risk factors: there are a few suspected risk factors for parkinsons that may influence its emergence these include

Answer 9

• genetics
• atherosclerosis
• excessive accumulation of oxygen free radicals
• viral infections
• head trauma
• chronic anti psychotic medications usage
• environmental exposures to different toxins

Question 10

4 cardinal signs of parkinsons

Answer 10

• tremor
• rigidity
• bradykinesia (slow movement)
• postural changes, instability

Question 11

Tremor of parkinsons

Answer 11

slow tremor within extremities when individual at rest

tremor usually dissapers with purposeful movement

Question 12

rigidity of parkinsons

Answer 12

characterized by resistance to passive limb movement which results in jerky movements on involuntary stiffness

Question 13

bradykinsesia of parkinsons

Answer 13

overall reduction in speed of purposeful movement.

causes difficulty initiating & maintaining movement

Question 14

postural changes & instability of parkinsons

Answer 14

results in instability a postural stoop & shuffling gait

Question 15

Patho of parkinsons

Answer 15

• decreased levels of inhibitory neurotransmitter dopamine
• damage to site of dopamine receptors the substantia nigra (also known as base of brain -mid brain, involved in coordination of movement)
• damage causes depletion in amount of dopamine available for body to use.
• depleted dopamine problematic, because equates to a decreased number in inhibitory nerotransmitters that are meant to offset the excitaratory neurotransmitter acetylcholine
• imbalance will affect extrapyramidal tracts within brain, altering voluntary movement

Question 16

Diagnosing parkinsons

Answer 16

• from pts history and the presence of two of the four cardinal mnfts (tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia & postural changes)
• neurological examination & response to pharmacological management considered when making a diagnosis

Question 17

Pharmacological treatment or parkinsons

Answer 17

• Levedopa
• Anticholinergics
• Amantadine
• Dopamine agonists
• MAO inhibitors

Question 18

Levedopa for treatment of parkinsons

Answer 18

• most effective
• primary method of treatment
• alleviates symptoms by converting to dopamine in basal ganglia of brain, which effectively depresses excitratory neurotransmitters.

Question 19

Anticholinergics for treatment of parkinsons

Answer 19

control parkinsons tremors & rigidity by counteracting excitratory neurotransmitters effectively blocking or decreasing nerve impulses, may be used in conjunction w levodopa

Question 20

Amantadine for treatment of parkinsons

Answer 20

reduces all 4 cardinal signs & is thought to act by encouraging release of dopamine from neuronal storage sites

Question 21

Dopamine agonists for treatment of parkinsons

Answer 21

activate dopamine receptors in the absence of dopamine

Question 22

MAO inhibitors for treatment of parkinsons

Answer 22

prevent the breakdown of dopamine, allowing a dopamine that is present to remain in system longer

Question 23

Primary goal of treatment for parkinsons disease

Answer 23

to control symptoms and maintain independence