Week 3.2: Disorders of the Basal nuclei Flashcards
What type of signs result from basal nuclei disorders?
Positive and negative movement signs.
What are positive signs in basal nuclei disorders?
Unwanted spontaneous movements that the patient cannot prevent.
What are examples of positive signs?
Tremors, chorea, and ballismus.
What are tremors?
Rhythmic or oscillatory movements, often in distal limbs like hands.
What is chorea?
Rapid, dance-like spastic movements of limbs and face.
What is ballismus?
Violent, flinging movements of limbs due to proximal muscle contractions.
What are negative signs in basal nuclei disorders?
Difficulty initiating or executing desired movements.
What are examples of negative signs?
Akinesia, bradykinesia, and postural instability.
What is akinesia?
Hesitation or inability to initiate movement.
What is bradykinesia?
Slowness in movement execution.
What is postural instability?
Impaired balance and coordination, common in Parkinson’s disease.
What type of disorder is Parkinson’s Disease (PD)?
A hypokinetic neurodegenerative disease.
What causes Parkinson’s Disease?
Loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra.
What is the pathological hallmark of Parkinson’s Disease?
Lewy bodies.
What protein is the main component of Lewy bodies?
Alpha-synuclein.
How is Parkinson’s confirmed post-mortem?
Pallor of the substantia nigra and presence of Lewy bodies.
What are the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease?
Resting tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, postural instability.
What is Huntington’s Disease (HD)?
An autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder causing hyperkinetic movements.
What brain region is most affected in Huntington’s Disease?
The striatum, especially the caudate nucleus.
What protein accumulates in Huntington’s Disease?
Huntingtin.
What imaging findings are typical in Huntington’s Disease?
Caudate atrophy, putamen atrophy, dilated lateral ventricles, cortical thinning.
What are the physical symptoms of Huntington’s Disease?
Chorea, twitching, gait disturbance, speech/swallowing difficulty.
What are cognitive symptoms of Huntington’s Disease?
Memory loss, poor concentration, difficulty planning.
What emotional and behavioral changes occur in Huntington’s Disease?
Depression, apathy, mood swings, aggression.
