Alzheimers disease

Question 1

What are the neuropathological features of Alzheimer’s Disease?

Answer 1

Senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles

Found in the cortex, basal forebrain, ventral striatum, and hippocampus of AD patients

Question 2

What is the cholinergic deficit in AD pathology?

Answer 2

Reduced cholinergic neurotransmission in the brain due to loss of cholinergic neurons

Results in cognitive and memory impairment

Question 3

What is the basic cholinergic metabolism?

Answer 3

Acetylcholine is synthesized from choline and acetyl CoA by the enzyme choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)

Acetylcholine is released from presynaptic neurons and binds to postsynaptic receptors

Acetylcholine is then broken down by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE)

Question 4

What are the drugs used in Alzheimer’s Disease treatment?

Answer 4

Cholinesterase inhibitors (e.g. Donepezil, Rivastigmine, Galantamine) to increase acetylcholine levels in the brain

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist (e.g. Memantine) to regulate glutamate levels in the brain

Question 5

What is the mechanism of action of cholinesterase inhibitors?

Answer 5

Inhibit the breakdown of acetylcholine by AChE

Increase acetylcholine levels in the brain, enhancing cholinergic neurotransmission

Question 6

What is the mechanism of action of NMDA receptor antagonists?

Answer 6

Regulate glutamate levels in the brain by blocking NMDA receptors

Prevent overexcitation of neurons, reducing neuronal damage and slowing cognitive decline in AD patients.