Week 8 - CNS Neurodegenitive disorders

Question 1

What can cause neuronal cell death?

Answer 1

• Excess excitory transmitters (drugs)
• Stroke
• Impaired mitochondria
• Environmental toxins
• Methylaminoalanine
• Increased oxidative stress

Question 2

What is the end point of excitotoxicity?

Answer 2

Ca overload

Question 3

Summarise excitotoxicity

Answer 3

• Glutamate activates Ca receptors
• depolarisation = Ca influx = more glutamate
• Na entry = more Ca
• depolarisation inhibits/ reverses glutamate uptake = extracellular [] increased
• Ca/Na pump counteract rise in Ca []
• mitochondria disruption = reduction in energy to pumps