Pharmacology of Parkinson's Disease Flashcards
What is Amantidine (symmetrel)?
a drug that facilitates the release of endogenous dopamine
Disorders of _____ may predispose pts to subsequent assault by chemicals in Parkinson’s Disease.
mitochondrial energy pathways
How is dopamine broken down?
dopamine + MAO –> DOPAC + catchol-o-methyl transferase (COMT) –> HVA
Neurotoxins such as the meperidine analog _____ can cause a Parkinson’s-like condition by killing dopamine neurons.
MPTP
Name 3 anticholinergic drugs for Parkinson’s treatment.
- Trihexyphenidyl (Artane)
- Benztropine (Cogentin)
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Name 2 Catechol-o-methyl transferase inhibitors used to treat Parkinson’s.
- Tolcapone (Tasmar)
- Entacapone (Comtran)
What drug facilitates the release of endogenous dopamine?
Amantidine (symmetrel)
Name some possible environmental causes of Parkinsons.
- well water
- pesticides
- copper and iron exposures
What is Sinemet?
L-DOPA combined with a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor, carbidopa
Collectively, what kind of drug are the following?
- Tolcapone (Tasmar)
- Entacapone (Comtan)
Catechol-o-methyl transferase inhibitors
Name 5 dopamine receptor agonist drugs.
- Bromocriptine (Parlodel)
- Pergolide (Permax)
- Pramipexole (Mirapex)
- Ropinirole (Requip)
- Cabergoline (Dostinex)
Why are anticholinergic drugs used for Parkinson’s therapy? How effective are they? Why aren’t they used as often?
to treat the tremor; less effective than L-DOPA; anti-parasympathetic side effects
Name 2 MAOIs used to treat Parkinson’s.
- Selegiline, also called Deprenyl - (Eldepryl)
- Rasagiline (Azilect)
What is the significance of alpha-synuclein?
- it’s a mutated protein in the auto. dominant form of Parkinson’s
- is also found in the Lewy bodies in Parkinson’s patients w/o the mutation
Why do some neurologists choose to start with a dopamine agonist, rather than L-DOPA?
there’s less risk of dyskinesia