Chapter 7 (Module 7.3) - Movement Disorders

Question 1

this movement disorder results from the gradual loss of dopamine-releasing axons from the substantia nigra to the striatum (part of the basal ganglia)

is characterized by impaired initiation of activity, slow and inaccurate movements, tremor, rigidity, depression, and cognitive deficits.

Answer 1

Parkinson’s Disease

Question 2

what substance can be responsible for Parkinson’s-like symptoms?

Answer 2

MPTP

Question 3

what does they body convert MPTP into?

Answer 3

MPP+

Question 4

what happens when MPP+ accumulates?

Answer 4

it destroys neurons that release dopamine, partly by impairing the transport of mitochondria from the cell body to the synapse

Question 5

How does MPTP exposure influence the likelihood of Parkinson’s disease?

What are the effects of cigarette smoking?

Answer 5

Exposure to MPTP can induce symptoms of Parkin- 20.
son’s disease.

Cigarette smoking is correlated with decreased risk of the disease.

Question 6

what are stem cells?

Answer 6

immature cells that are capable of differentiating into other cell types

Question 6

this term refers to a precursor to dopamine

Answer 6

L-dopa

Question 6

this term refers to a severe neurological disorder that usually begins with arm jerks and facial twitches

is a hereditary condition marked by deterioration of motor control as well as apathy, depression, memory impairment, and other cognitive disorders

Answer 6

Huntington’s Disease

Question 6

Why does damage to the basal ganglia lead to involuntary movements?

Answer 6

Output from the basal ganglia to the thalamus is 24.
inhibitory.

After damage to the basal ganglia, the thalamus, and therefore the cortex, receive less inhibition.

Thus, they produce unwanted actions.

Question 7

this protein is coded by the gene for Huntington’s disease

Answer 7

Huntingtin

Question 8

What procedure enables physicians to predict who will or will not get Huntington’s disease and to estimate the age of onset?

Answer 8

Physicians can count the number of consecutive
repeats of the combination C-A-G on one gene on chromosome 4.

If the number is fewer than 36, the person will
not develop Huntington’s disease.

For repeats of 36 or more, the larger the number, the more certain the person is to develop the disease and the earlier the probable age of onset.

Question 9

what neurological disorders result from brain deterioration that includes the basal ganglia

Answer 9

Parkinson’s Disease and Huntington’s Disease

Question 10

what is the most common treatment for Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 10

L-dopa