Parkinson's Disease CAT Flashcards
1
Q
What is Parkinson’s Disease (PD)?
A
- Describes a group of disorders in subcortical gray matter of the basal ganglia
- Produces balance and voluntary movements
2
Q
Characteristics of PD
A
- Primary degenerative disorder
- Decreased production of dopamine creates an imbalance b/t dopamine and ACh
3
Q
Parts of the basal ganglia damaged w/ Parkinson’s
A
Substantia nigra and corpus striatum
4
Q
Role of the basal ganglia
A
Modulation and control of voluntary movement
5
Q
Contributing factors of PD
A
- Genetic defect
- Toxicity from carbon monoxide
- Excessive manganese or copper
- Carbon disulfide
- Vascular impairment of the striatum
- Encephalitis
- Other neurodegenerative diseases
6
Q
Demographics for PD
A
- 50-79 y/o
- Risk increases w/ age
7
Q
Clinical presentation of PD
A
- 50-79 y/o
- Resting tremor in the hands or feet
- Balance disturbances
- Difficulty rolling over and getting up in bed
- Impaired fine manipulative movements
8
Q
What factors make tremors better or worse?
A
- Tremors increase w/ stress
- Tremors decrease w/ movement or sleep
9
Q
Progression of PD
A
- Hypokinesia
- Sluggish movement
- Difficulty with initiating (akinesia) and stopping movement
- Festinating and shuffling gait
- Bradykinesia
- Poor postur
- Dysphagia
- “Cogwheel” or “lead pipe” rigidity of skeletal muscles
- “Freezing” during ambulation, speech, blinking, and movement of the arms
- Mask-like appearance w/ no facial expression
10
Q
Labs/imaging for PD
A
- Nothing to diagnose
- CT or MRI to rule out other conditions
11
Q
Pharmacological management of PD
A
- Dopamine replacement therapy (levodopa, Sinemet, Madopar)
- Antihistamines
- Anticholinergics
- Antidepressants
12
Q
PT management of PD
A
- Maximize endurance, strength, and functional mobility
- Verbal cueing/visual feedback are effective tools
- Training family members/caregivers
