Parkinsonism and Movement Disorders Flashcards
Exam 4
The hallmark of Parkinsonism is ______
Tremor at rest
Tremor with intention or movement is usually associated with what?
- Brain lesion
- Alcohol or drug toxicity
______ is rhythmic movement around a joint
tremor
______ is muscle jerks in various areas that impair movement and coordination
Chorea
______ is a type of chorea that includes violent abnormal movements
Ballismus
______ - slow, writhing/twisting
Athetosis
______ – abnormal posture
Dystonia
____ – Single repetitive movements, especially of face
Tics
Choreathetosis combines which 3 involuntary movements?
Chorea, athetosis, and dystonia
The _____ relays signals to the motor cortex to guide movement
thalamus
Which neurotransmitter does the Substantia nigra release to control the thalamus?
Dopamine
What are the 4 parts of the basal ganglia?
- Striatum
- Substantia nigra
- Globus pallidus
- Subthalamic nucleus
Movement disorders are related to _________ dysfunction
basal ganglia
What are the symptoms of Parkinsons?
TRAP
- Tremor
- Rigidity
- Akinesia
- Postural instability
- Cognitive decline
What is the pathogenesis of Parkinsons?
Dopaminergic neuron degradation
- Nigro-striatal pathway
- Decreased dopamine levels
What is the main gene associated with Parkinsons?
SNCA - α-Synuclein (neurotransmitter release)
What are the protective vs harmful environmental components of Parkinsons?
Protective – cigarette smoke, coffee, anti-inflammatories, uric acid
Harmful – lead, manganese exposure, Vit D deficiency
How does a mutation in the α-Synuclein gene predispose someone to Parkinsons?
Lewy bodies in the substantia nigra regions of the brain
- Misfolding associated with neurodegeneration
What are the 3 diseases associated with misfolding of proteins in neurons?
- Parkinsonism
- Alzheimer’s
- MSA – Multiple System Atrophy
What are the 2 occupations that increase Parkinson’s risk?
Teaching and healthcare
What are the 3 main methods of treating Parkinsons?
- Exercise – physical therapy
- Restore dopamine levels – Levodopa
- CNS Antimuscarinics – control dopaminergic release
What should be avoided in Parkinsons treatment?
- Dopamine receptor antagonists (antipsychotic agents)
- MPTP – destroys dopaminergic neurons - Impurity in some illicit drugs (synthetic opioids)
What is the difference between dopamine and L-DOPA?
Dopamine does not cross BBB, L-DOPA does
How does carbidopa increase the effectiveness of L-DOPA?
prevents COMT from breaking down L-dopa, increasing amount that can cross the BBB from 1-3% to 10%
What is the main adverse effect of L-DOPA? What is the treatment?
Hallucinations and delusions
Pimavanserin (Nuplazid) – antipsychotic
What is the MOA of Pimavanserin (Nuplazid)?
Antipsychotic - Inverse agonist at 5-HT2A – Visual cortex
What is the On-Off Phenomenon associated with the long-term use of L-DOPA?
Periods of increased mobility, followed by marked akinesia