Parkinsons disease Flashcards
What is the primary pathological feature of Parkinson’s disease?
Loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra.
The substantia nigra (sub-stan-chee-uh ny-grah) is a part of your basal ganglia, forming connections with different parts of your brain.
How does the loss of dopaminergic neurons affect movement in Parkinson’s disease?
It disrupts the balance of activity in motor circuits, impairing the ability to control movement
What are Lewy bodies, and what is their significance in Parkinson’s disease?
Lewy bodies are abnormal aggregates of protein, primarily alpha-synuclein, found in the neurons of Parkinson’s disease patients
What specific region of the brain shows notable degeneration in Parkinson’s disease?
The substantia nigra pars compacta
The substantia nigra (sub-stan-chee-uh ny-grah) is a part of your basal ganglia, forming connections with different parts of your brain.
Why does dopamine loss in the substantia nigra affect other parts of the brain?
Dopamine loss disrupts the signaling to the basal ganglia, which is crucial for motor control
What is the characteristic tremor associated with Parkinson’s disease?
A resting tremor, often described as a “pill-rolling” tremor
Describe the rigidity observed in Parkinson’s disease.
Rigidity in Parkinson’s disease is a stiffness or resistance to limb movement caused by increased muscle tone
What is bradykinesia, and how does it manifest in patients with Parkinson’s disease?
Bradykinesia is slowness of movement, seen as difficulty in initiating and performing movements
What motor symptom can affect a patient’s balance and posture in Parkinson’s disease?
Postural instability, which leads to difficulties with balance and a higher risk of falls
Besides motor symptoms, name a non-motor symptom commonly seen in Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease patients often experience depression
How does Parkinson’s disease affect facial expressions?
Patients often develop a “masked face” or reduced facial expression due to muscle rigidity
What is “micrographia” in the context of Parkinson’s disease?
Micrographia is the tendency for handwriting to become smaller and more cramped, often seen in Parkinson’s disease
What is the primary medication used in treating Parkinson’s disease?
Levodopa, often combined with carbidopa to improve efficacy and reduce side effects
How does carbidopa enhance the effectiveness of levodopa in Parkinson’s treatment?
Carbidopa prevents the breakdown of levodopa before it reaches the brain, allowing more to be converted to dopamine in the brain
What is the role of dopamine agonists in Parkinson’s disease treatment?
Dopamine agonists mimic dopamine and stimulate dopamine receptors, providing an alternative to levodopa
Name a treatment option for Parkinson’s disease patients with medication-resistant symptoms
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is used for patients who no longer respond well to medications
Why is physical therapy recommended for Parkinson’s disease patients?
Physical therapy helps maintain mobility, flexibility, and balance, which can reduce the impact of motor symptoms
What is a distinguishing feature of essential tremor that can differentiate it from Parkinson’s disease?
Essential tremor typically occurs with action, while Parkinson’s tremor is a resting tremor
How does multiple system atrophy (MSA) differ from Parkinson’s disease in terms of symptoms?
MSA presents with additional autonomic dysfunctions, such as severe blood pressure fluctuations, that are less common in Parkinson’s disease
What is the primary difference between Parkinson’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)?
PSP often includes vertical gaze palsy and early postural instability, distinguishing it from Parkinson’s disease
How does dopamine deficiency lead to the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?
Dopamine is crucial for coordinating smooth and controlled movements. Its deficiency disrupts the basal ganglia circuits, leading to motor symptoms.
What are the four cardinal motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?
Tremor at rest, rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), and postural instability.
How does rigidity in Parkinson’s disease typically present?
As increased resistance to passive movement, often described as “cogwheel rigidity.”
What is bradykinesia, and how does it manifest in Parkinson’s patients?
Bradykinesia is the slowness of voluntary movement, leading to difficulties in initiating actions.
What is a characteristic feature of Wilson’s disease in the context of Parkinsonism?
Wilson’s disease, a genetic disorder of copper metabolism, can cause Parkinsonism with signs like Kayser-Fleischer rings in the eyes, which are absent in Parkinson’s disease
How does vascular Parkinsonism differ in presentation from typical Parkinson’s disease?
Vascular Parkinsonism often presents with lower body symptoms like gait instability and lacks the classic tremor seen in Parkinson’s disease
How is Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) differentiated from Parkinson’s disease?
LBD is characterized by Parkinsonism symptoms plus cognitive decline, visual hallucinations, and fluctuating alertness, which are more pronounced than in Parkinson’s disease
In the context of Parkinsonism, what is the significance of infectious encephalitis?
Infectious encephalitis can cause reversible Parkinsonism symptoms as part of the brain infection, unlike the progressive degeneration in Parkinson’s disease
