Parkinson's Disease (Yvonne Mbaki) Flashcards
What is the definition of Parkinsons?
Neurodegenerative; death of dopamine containing cells of the substantia nigra
What is the substantia nigra?
The origin of dopaminergic afferents implicated in Parkinson’s disease
What is the pathophysiology associated with Parkinson’s disease?
Domaine neurons in the substantia nigra in normal cells compared to the loss of noradrenergic and serotonergic neurons.
How do Lewy bodies form?
Aggregation of protein deposits in substantia nigra, locus coeruleus and other brain regions
Alpha-synuclein aggregation.
How is Parkinson’s disease linked to genetics?
The earlier the age of onset, the greater the familial occurrence
Odds of inheritance are increased if parent or sibling has PD
Which specific genes are the causative agents of PD?
- a-synuclein (autosomal dominant)
Major constituent of Lewy bodies
In familial Parkinson’s, too much or abnormal amounts of a-synuclein are produces.
It is thought that it inhibits neurotransmitter release - LRRK2 (autosomal dominant)
Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2
High prevalence in North African Arabs / Central/Eastern European Jews. - Parkin (autosomal recessive)
Juvenile parkinsonism - onset <30 yrs
Acts as a ubiquitin-protein ligase; labels dead / damaged neurons to be cleared up
How can rural living increase risk of PD?
Some pesticides are known to be potent mitochondrial inhibitors
Mitochondrial complex 1 extracts energy from NADH; this complex is deficient in patients that have died from PD.
Infusion of insecticide rotenone in rats caused dopamingergic cell death, Lewy body formation and motor defecit.
How does mitochodrial inhibition cause PD?
Mitochondrial complex 1 extracts energy from NADH; this complex is deficient in patients that have died from PD.
Which insecticide has shown to cause PD effect in rats?
Rotenone
Dopaminergic cell death, Lewy body formation and motor defecit
Which two environmental factors can cause PD?
Pesticides that lead to mitochodrial inhibition
MPTP
What is MPTP?
MPTP (1- methyl - 4-phenyl - 1, 2, 3, 6 - tetrahydropyridine)
How was MPTP discovered?
By accident when synthetic heroin was the target
A student accidentally manufactured a neurotoxin MPTP
The student developed Parkinson’s disease smptoms but was responsive to treatment.
Autopsy showed destruction of substantia nigra but not Lewy body formation
What does increased prevalence of Parkinson’s Disease suggest?
Age is a factor associated with development of PD.
Loss of striatal dopamine (dopamine from the striatum) and dopamine cells in the substantia nigra
The precise role of aging is still unclear.
What are the motor symptoms associated with PD?
Bradykinesia: slowness of movement
Resting tremor: Shaking that disappears during active use of the affected body part
Rigidity: Increased resistance to passive movement
Postural instability: instability when standing, or impaired balance / coordination.
What other motor symptoms are included in PD?
Drooling Fatigue Loss of facial expressions Speech problems Dysphagia
What are the non-motor symptoms / autonomic symptoms of PD?
GI dysfunction Genitourinary dysfunction Cardiovascular dysfunction Cognitive dysfunction Sleep disorders Mood disorders Pain
What GI dysfunction is associated with PD?
Parasympathetic NS
Constipation
Incomplete bowel evacuation / bowel incontinence
What genitourinary dysfunction is associated with PD?
Urinary urgency, frequency and incontinence
Sexual dysfunction presents in erectile dysfunction in men
What cardiovascular dysfunction is associated with PD?
Cardiac sympathetic denervation = loss of nerve supply
Responsible for light headedness and hypotension.
More commonly, postural hypotension related to medication for PD.
What cognitive dysfunction is associated with PD?
Slowness of thought and executive dysfunction
Parkinson’s Disease Dementia
What sleep disorders are associated with PD?
Rapid eye movement disorder Restless legs syndrome Periodic limb movement of sleep Insomnia Excessive daytime sleepiness
What are the mood disorders associated with PDD?
Depression
Psychosis (potentially due to too much dopamine as a result of Tx)
Anxiety - GAD, agoraphobia, panic disorder, social phobia
What are the pain symptoms associated with PD?
Muscoskeletal pain; cramping aching deformities
Radicular neuropathic pain; radiates into the lower extremity directly along the course of a spinal nerve root
Dystonic pain; pain in the neck muscles (effect of medication)
Centra/primary pain; stabbing burning scalding pain
What is the management strategy for treating PD?
Treat symptoms by replenishing dopamine
Prevent, delay, reverse neurodegeneration
What is the first line therapy for PD?
First line therapy is Levodopa
How does Levodopa treat PD?
Treats bradykinesia and rigidity
Mechanism of action - levodopa is converted to dopamine via DOPA-decarboxylase.