Parkinsons Disease

Question 1

What is Parkinson’s Disease?

Answer 1

• a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the depletion of DOPAMINE producing cells in the substantia nigra portion of the midbrain

Question 2

What are the cardinal symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease?

Answer 2

• resting tremor
• cogwheeling rigidity
• slow/shuffling gait
• bradykinesia

Question 3

S/S of Parkinson’s Disease?

Answer 3

• resting tremors
• cogwheeling rigidity
• bradykinesia
• postural instability
• shuffling gait
• masked/expressionless face

Question 4

What is the standard treatment for Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 4

Carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet)

Question 5

What is the MOA of Carbidopa-levodopa?

Answer 5

• carbidopa prevents break down of levodopa so in can be converted into dopamine in the brain
• levodopa supplements the decreased levels of endogenous dopamine

Question 6

What class of medications are used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 6

• carbidopa-levodopar (standard)
• dopamine agonist
• anticholinergics
• monoamine oxidase B inhibitors (MAO-Bi)

Question 7

Deep brain stimulation is used in the treatment of which condition?

Answer 7

Parkinson’s disease

Question 8

What can be added to the treatment regimen of a Parkinson’s disease patient to help prevent the “On-Off” phenomenon related to the effectiveness of medications?

Answer 8

catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor
- inhibits dopamine breakdown
- COMT metabolizes catecholamines including dopamine

Question 9

Pramipexole is what class of medication?

Answer 9

dopamine agonist

Question 10

Selegiline is what class of medication?

Answer 10

Monoamine oxidase inhibitor

Question 11

Entacapone is what class of medication?

Answer 11

• catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitor
• COMT inhibitor