Parkinsons' Disease

Question 1

Define Parkinsons’ Disease

Answer 1

A chronic progressive neurodegenerative disorder resulting from the degeneration of dopamine producing neurones in the Substantia Nigra of the Basal Ganglia

Question 2

What is the role of the Basal Ganglia?

Answer 2

Regulate planning, initiation, termination of movement
Regulate muscle tone required for specific body movements
Control subconscious or stereotyped contractions of skeletal muscle
Inhibit antagonistic or unnecessary movement

Question 3

Parts of the Basal Ganglia

Answer 3

Caudate nucleus (superior to thalamus)
Lateral to thalamus - putamen and globus pallidus
Subthalamic Nucleus
Substantia Nigra - in midbrain

Question 4

How does lack of Dopamine cause symptoms of PD

Answer 4

Less excitement of direct pathway = less movement

Less inhibition of indirect pathway = lack of movement

Question 5

What are the primary features of PD?

Answer 5

Bradykinesia
Resting tremor
Rigidity - lead pipe or cog wheel

Question 6

Give some secondary features of PD

Answer 6

'Freezing' when walking
Slow shuffling fait
Difficult with motor tasks
Loss of facial expressions
Monotone speech
Problems with swallowing
Sleep disorders
Postural instability - develops later

Question 7

Give 4 types of drugs for PD

Answer 7

DA replacements - Levadopa
DA copycats - Apomorphine
DA protectors - MAO-B inhibitors
Anticholinergics

Question 8

What scale is used for rating PD?

Answer 8

Hoehn and Yahr Scale