What is the purpose of stereotactic surgery in Parkinson's treatment?
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To make a lesion in the brain resulting in decreased symptoms.
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What is the purpose of stereotactic surgery in Parkinson's treatment?
To make a lesion in the brain resulting in decreased symptoms.
What modern technique is used instead of making a physical lesion in the brain?
Inserting an electrical probe to stimulate the brain.
What is the 'on-off phenomenon' in Parkinson's treatment?
Symptoms range from well controlled to poorly controlled at random times.
What is the prevalence of Parkinson's Disease in non-elderly individuals?
1 in 1000.
Where is the dopamine deficit primarily located in Parkinson's Disease?
In the Striatum.
What neurotransmitter imbalance is created by the loss of dopamine release in the striatum?
An imbalance that favors acetylcholine (ACh).
What happens to the efficacy of Levodopa over time?
It decreases while side effects increase.
What is a major problem associated with dopamine supplementation in Parkinson's Disease?
Side effects due to unaffected dopamine pathways.
What type of drugs are used to prevent competition in the brain for treating Parkinson's Disease?
Anticholinergic drugs.
What are the benefits of using a brain stimulator in Parkinson's treatment?
Good control of tremor and the on/off phenomenon.
What is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's?
Parkinson's Disease.
At what age does Parkinson's Disease typically onset?
Mean age of onset is 55 years.
What is a disadvantage of surgical interventions for Parkinson's Disease?
They can be dangerous and are only beneficial for a small subgroup of patients.
When is treatment for Parkinson's Disease typically delayed?
Until symptoms are sufficient to impact the person's life.
What are the three components of Parkinson's Triad?
Resting tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia/akinesia.
What does bradykinesia refer to?
Slowness or inability to initiate/execute movement.
Why is Levodopa usually administered with decarboxylase inhibitors?
To prevent conversion to dopamine systemically before reaching the brain.
What is the prevalence of Parkinson's Disease in elderly individuals?
1 in 200.
What is 'Lead-Pipe Rigidity'?
Constant resistance to passive joint movements.
What is the aim of treatment for Parkinson's Disease?
To increase dopamine levels in the brain or mimic the effect of dopamine.
What is the 'On-Off Phenomenon' in Parkinson's treatment?
Symptomatic relief is random and fluctuating.
What is a common type of resting tremor associated with Parkinson's Disease?
Pill-rolling tremor.
What are some other symptoms of Parkinson's Disease?
Diminished facial expressions, stooped posture, shuffling gait, declined intellectual function, and depression.
What are dopamine agonists?
Drugs that mimic dopamine by binding to dopamine receptors.
What is 'Cog-Wheel Rigidity'?
Fluctuating resistance to passive joint movements.
What is Levodopa and its role in treating Parkinson's Disease?
Levodopa (L-Dopa) can cross the blood-brain barrier and is converted to dopamine in the brain.
What happens to Levodopa's efficacy over time?
Its efficacy decreases while side effects increase.
What is the morphology associated with Parkinson's Disease at a macro level?
Loss of Pigment Neurons (Melanin) in the Striatum.
What are the aetiologies of Parkinson's Disease?
Parkinsonism (Drugs/Toxins/Post Encephalitis) and Primary Atrophy of Substantia Nigra (Dopaminergic System).
What is the percentage of Nigral neurons loss required for symptoms of Parkinson's Disease?
50-60%.
What is the impact of the loss of input from the Substantia Nigra?
No activation of Inhibitory Neurons of the Putamen, leading to unopposed inhibition of Neurons of the VL-Thalamus.
What is the primary cause of Parkinson's Disease?
Primary Atrophy of Substantia Nigra (Dopaminergic System).
What is the role of dopamine in the basal ganglia?
Dopamine is required by the basal ganglia to coordinate complex movements.
What is the pathogenesis of Parkinson's Disease?
Loss of Substantia Nigra Neurons → Dopamine Deficiency in the Basal Ganglia → Basal Ganglia Dysfunction.
What is another name for Parkinson's Disease?
Shaking Palsy.
