Parkinson's disease and dementia

Question 1

What is the focus of parkinson’s disease treatment

Answer 1

Replacing dopamine with levo-dopa (L-dopa) or mimicking its action with dopamine agonists

Question 2

What are the chief side effects of L-dopa

Answer 2

Nausea, vomiting and anorexia induced by the stimulation of dopamine receptors in the GI tract and the chemotrigger receptor zone (CTZ) in the brain

Question 3

What type of drug is L-dopa often given with in combination

Answer 3

peripheral dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor (Levodopa with Carbidopa/ Sinemet)

Question 4

What is an important characteristic of L-dopa

Answer 4

Dopamine cannot cross the blood barrier in significant amounts, but the precursor, L-dopa can cross the blood brain barrier

Question 5

What is the relationship between dopamine and prolactin

Answer 5

they have an inverse relationship More dopamine = less prolactin

Question 6

What drug class is Bromocriptine (Parlodel)

Answer 6

Dopamine agonist

Question 7

What are the indications of Bromocriptine (Parlodel)

Answer 7

parkinson’s disease. prolactin secreting adenomas and acromegaly

Question 8

What drug class is Benztropine (Cogentin)

Answer 8

Anticholinergic

Question 9

WHat are the indications for Benztropine (Cogentin)

Answer 9

Parkinson’s disease, especially when tremor or drooling are prominent symptoms. Appears to also help with cognitive symptoms due to Parkinson’s disease. In addition, used to diminish side effects of the antipsychotic drugs

Question 10

What are the side effects of Benztropine (cogenin)

Answer 10

Dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, confusion, drowsiness, disorientation, memory impairment, visual hallucinations and possible exacerbation of pre-existing psychotic symptoms

Question 11

What drug class is Amandatine (symmetrel)

Answer 11

Anti-Parkinson’s and anti-viral agent

Question 12

What is the MOA of amandatine (symmetrel)

Answer 12

Unclear but probable NMDA receptor antagonism accounts for anti-Parkinson’s effects (N-methyl-D-aspartate)

Question 13

What is the order of efficacy of parkinson’s meds

Answer 13

L-dopa > Bromocriptine > Amantadine > anticholenergics

Question 14

How long does amantadine work

Answer 14

less than 6 months

Question 15

What is the main drug class used in alzheimer’s treatment

Answer 15

Centrally acting reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor

Question 16

What drug class is Memantine (Namenda)

Answer 16

antagonist of glutamatergic NMDA receptor sites