Regulation of Neurotransmitter Levels (Dopamine)

Question 1

What is the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s Disease?

Answer 1

loss of dopaminergic neurons int he substantia nigra tot he corpus striatum

Question 2

What is the first symptom of Parkinson’s Disease?

Answer 2

loss of olfaction

Question 3

in Parkinson’s Disease what can be found post-mortem?

Answer 3

Lewy bodies

Question 4

What are Lewy Bodies?

Answer 4

abnormal aggregates of protein (alpha synuclein) [eosinophilic]

Question 5

in % how many dopaminergic neurons must be lost before the development of symptoms?

Answer 5

80%

Question 6

What is Levodopa? what is its 1/2 life?

Answer 6

amino acid isomer that can be taken into the BBB and used for the synthesis of dopamine
Short 1/2 life

Question 7

administration of levodopa must be accompanied by what? why?

Answer 7

dopa decarboxylase inhibitor because 90% of it its metabolised in the perophery

Question 8

What is the problem with administering levodopa too early in the disease?

Answer 8

can cause further loss of dopaminergic cells due to the ROS forming ability of dopamine [dopamine formation requires Fe]

Question 9

What are MAO B inhibitors used for?

Answer 9

to decrease the breakdown of dopamine

they may decrease disease progression

Question 10

Why are cholinergic antagonists given with L-dopa?

Answer 10

NOT given together

Question 11

Parkinson’s Disease risk factor

Answer 11

Age