U3 AOS1 Dot Point 5

Question 1

what is Parkinson’s disease

Answer 1

CNS neurodegenerative disorder
motor and non-motor symptoms
develops slowly
average age of diagnosis is between 55-65

Question 2

motor symptoms of Parkinsons

Answer 2

tremor
muscle rigidity
slowness of voluntary movement (bradykinesia)
postural instability, balance and walking disturbances

Question 3

non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s

Answer 3

decreased sense of smell
increased sensitivity to temp - sweating
fatigue
difficulty with speech and swallowing
mental health problems - depression
slow thinking
memory loss - more rare

Question 4

what causes Parkinson’s

Answer 4

degeneration and loss of neurons in the Substantia Nigra
less dopamine
motor cortex will receive fewer, slower, irregular dopamine messages

Question 5

Substantia Nigra

Answer 5

midbrain
involved in the control of voluntary movement
produces dopamine

Question 6

dopamine

Answer 6

smooth and coordinated voluntary movement
mainly excitatory but can also be inhibitory
helps with focus
motivation

Question 7

treatments for Parkinson’s

Answer 7

levodopa/L-dopa

dopamine agonists

Question 8

function of L-dopa

Answer 8

can be converted into dopamine by the neurons

even if there is less dopamine neurons the few remaining ones will produce much more dopamine

Question 9

function of dopamine agonists

Answer 9

fake dopamine

mimic the role of dopamine