S3C7 (2.0) Flashcards
What is SPECT scanning?
Three-dimensional (tomographic) images of the distribution of radioactive tracer molecules Gamma emitting radioisotope Cheap Convenient Poor spatial resolution
What is PET scanning?
Positron emitting radioisotopes
Expensive
More effort
Good spatial resolution
What is CT scanning?
X-rays round body Quick Cheap Convenient Involves radiation Poor quality
What is MRI scanning?
Magnetic donut Slow Expensive More effort No radiation High quality
What is the epidemiology of parkinsons?
Male predominance
Prevalence increases with age
Onset ~60 yo
What is parkinsonism?
A syndrome featuring bradykinesia and either resting tremor or rigidity (or both)
What are the risk factors for Parkinson’s?
Familial history - 10-15% cases Environmental factors - e.g. Exposure to manganese Diet/ metabolism Low levels Vit D High iron intake Obesity Structural damage History of traumatic brain damage
What medication can cause secondary parkinsonism?
Familial history - 10-15% cases Environmental factors E.g. Exposure to manganese Diet/ metabolism Low levels Vit D High iron intake Obesity Structural damage History of traumatic brain damage
What metabolic disorders can cause parkinsonism?
Wilson disease - an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder of copper (due to ATP7B gene mutation) in which both impaired binding to its transporter protein (ceruloplasmin) and biliary excretion increase free serum copper, leading to accumulation in the body
What is the pathophysiology of parkinsons?
Progressive dopaminergic neuron degeneration in the substantia nigra and the locus coeruleus
Dopamine deficiency at the respective receptors of the striatum with interrupted transmission to the thalamus and motor cortex
What causes the depressive symptoms of parkinsons?
Serotonin and noradrenaline depletion (in the Raphe nuclei)
What causes the dyskinesia in parkinsons?
Acetylcholine surplus in nucleus basalis of Meynert
What causes lewy bodies ?
Aggregates of misfolded α-synuclein and hyaline eosinophilic globules
What is the pathogenesis of cell death?
Oxidative stress Intracellular calcium accumulation with excitotoxicity Inflammation Mitochondrial dysfunction (apoptosis) Proteolytic stress
What are the clinical features of parkinson’s?
Unilateral onset with persistently asymmetrical course but may progress on the contralateral side
Bradykinesia/ akinesia
Resting tremor (4-6Hz)
Rigidity
What frequency is the resting tremor?
4-6Hz
What is the tremor like in parkinsons?
Pill rolling tremor that subsides with voluntary movements but increases with stress Typical in hands May involve Legs Jaw Lips Tongue
What is bradydiadochokinesia?
Alternating antagonistic movements are conducted unusually slowly
What is rigidity?
Increased and persistent resistance to passive joint movement that is independent of speed of movement
What is the froment maneuver?
Facilitates the evaluation of rigidity, especially in early stages
What is cogwheel rigidity?
Most likely caused by the overlay of increased muscle tonus and tremor in PD patients
Muscles in an extremity give way in successive jerks when passively move
What is the parkinsonian gait?
Shuffling gait with quickened and shortened steps
5-8 extra steps to turn around
What is the glabellar reflex?
Primitive reflex elicited by tapping of the glabella, the area between the eyebrows, causing the subject to close his or her eyes
positive in PD patients and babies
What causes bradykinesia?
Increased inhibitory output to central pattern generators in brainstem
Increased inhibitory output to thalamus and motor cortex
Abnormal 20 Hz (β band) oscillations in basal ganglia circuit
What causes peripheral rigidity?
Reduced inhibition from type Ib fibres
Overactive type II fibres
Increased activity due to peripheral stimulation
What causes central rigidity?
Altered activity in GABA and Ach interneurones
Altered inhibition in indirect pathway
Increased responsiveness of STN/GPi firing to peripheral stimulation