Week 8 Parkinson's disease

Question 1

how many people are affected by PD and what age is the onset

Answer 1

1 million
typical in the 50s or 60s. before 30 is rare
60,000 new cases each year
more in men then women

Question 2

what happens to the substantia nigra and dopamine with PD

Answer 2

smaller substantia nigra, and then there is less dopamine

Question 3

what is the pathology with PD, structure and NT

Answer 3

the substantia nigra which usually produces and releases dopamine ( which is responsible for controlling movement and balance, and aides in regulation of other neurons)

Question 4

what is the target for the dopamine

Answer 4

the putamen and caudate

Question 5

what is there a decrease in, the amount of excitatory or inhibitory connections

Answer 5

both!

Question 6

normally, there is a balance between dopamine and ACh, what happens with PD

Answer 6

decrease in dopamine, compared to the other

Question 7

what are some potential causes of PD?

Answer 7

viral, environmental (pesticides, insecticides and well water), exposure to toxins, genetics and aging.

Question 8

what are the 4 cardinal characteristics of PD

Answer 8

resting tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, postural instability

Question 9

what are some other PD motor symptoms

Answer 9

tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, freezing, shuffling, stooped and slow gait, decreased arm swing, difficulty rising from the chair, micrographia (small handwriting), lack of facial expression, mask like, slowed activity, postural instability, difficulty turning in bed.

Question 10

what are some PD non motor symptoms

Answer 10

diminished sense of smell, low voice volume, foot cramps, sleep disturbances, depression, constipation, drooling, increased sweating, urinary frequency, male ED

Question 11

what are some other disturbances of PD

Answer 11

depression, speech problems (decreased volume and dysarthria), cognitive (frontal lobe) like inability to shift attention, working memory, perception dysfunction and procedural learning issues), and dysphagia

Question 12

what is the prognosis of PD

Answer 12

no cure, progressive, will go from unilateral to bilateral, increased rigidity, increased flexion posture, incredibly limited mobility and need for assistance, eventually bed bound and then die

Question 13

what is the cause of death with PD

Answer 13

pneumonia, aspiration