Theory - Parkinsons 01 Flashcards
What is Parkinson’s also known as?
Paralysis agitans
What are the 4 cardinal symptoms of Parkinson’s?
1 - Rigidity
2 - Tremors at rest
3 - Akinesia (bradykinesia)
4 - Postural disturbances
How do you treat sialorrhea (drooling)?
anticholinergic
What is the cause of Parkinson’s?
idiopathic but signs may appear in conjunction with:
- Ischemic changes in brain following cerebral arteriosclerosis or stroke
- Viral encephalitis
- Use of antipsychotic drugs, reserpine, metoclopramide (pseudo-parkinsonism)
- Toxins (manganese, MPTP, carbon monoxide)
- Trauma (head injuries)
- Oxidative stress
What are the early symptoms of Parkinson’s? He says this won’t be on the exam
- Pill rolling
- cogwheel rigidity
- bradykinesia
- masked facies
- decreased volume of voice
- shuffling gait
What are the late symptoms of Parkinson’s? He says this won’t be on the exam
- Freezing into positions
- postural imbalance
- difficulty swallowing
- cognitive deficits
What are the autonomic symptoms of Parkinson’s? He says this won’t be on the exam
- Orthostatic hypotension
- constipation
- difficulty urinating
- sweating
What causes Parkinson’s?
Loss of neurons in the substantia nigra that make dopamine
When do you start seeing the symptoms of Parkinson’s?
When you have lost 80% of the neurons of the substantia nigra
When a person has a history of what can’t you use levodopa?
Malignant melanoma because levodopa is the precursor of melanin
What are the two types of dopamine receptors?
D-1 like: D1, D5 (increase cAMP, increase Calcium)
D-2 like: D2, D3, D4 (decrease cAMP, increase K+)
D2 receptors are inhibitory because they open potassium channels and hyperpolarize neurons making them less likely to fire
Where are motor habits (subconscious movements) and motor skills stored (the voluntary parts of involuntary movement)?
The basal ganglia
What is the #1 inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain?
GABA
What is the #1 excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain?
Glutamate (GLU)
