CHAPTER 8: NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES Flashcards
(41 cards)
What does CNS consist of?
brain and spinal cord, meninges, BBB, blood supply to the brain
what are the CNS functions?
sensory, motor, intellect/emotion
common neurotransmitters?
ACh, NE, glutamate, glycine, dopamine, serotonin, Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
excitatory vs. inhibitory neurotransmission/pathway
- both bind to post synaptic receptor, transiently open ion channels, and alter the post synpatic POTENTIAL
excitatory DEpolarizes, inhibitory HYPERpolarizes post synaptic membrane
why are some pathways meant to be inhibitory?
because certain pathways must remain inhibitory to be kept NORMAL
Excitatory post synaptic potentials (EPSP) are generated by:
- release of neurotransmitters, inc permeability on Na+ ions
- influx Na+, weak depol, and move post syn potential TOWARDS firing threshold
- inc stimulation of excitatory neurons, depol PASSES threshold, and generates “all or none” AP
Inhibitory post synaptic potentials (IPSP) are generated by:
- stimulating inhibitory neurons, releasing neurotransmitters like GABA or GLYCINE—> transient inc permeability for SPECIFIC IONS
GABA induces hyperpol
- influx Cl-, efflux, K+—> weak hyperpolarization, move post syn potential AWAY from firing threshold (less firing)
which specific ions are moving in excitatory vs inhibitory
excitatory: Na+ influx
inhibitory: Cl- influx, K+ efflux
Neurodegenerative Diseases: list and explain what it is
Parkinson’s (PD), Alzheimer’s (AD), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- PROGRESSIVE loss of selective neurons in discrete brain areas
- cause characteristic disorders of movement and cognition
PARKINSON’S DISEASE: what is it? age range? cure?
- progressive chronic neurological disorder
- develop in ANY age– most in middl age/past 60
- NO CURE
therapy aims to manage the symptoms/signs not necessarily slow down progression (not possible)
PARKINSON’S: signs and symptoms
- lack of coordination
- rhythmic tremors
- rigidity/weakness
- trouble maintaining position/posture
- bradykinesia—> slow movement
- difficutly walking
- drooling/affect speech
- mask-like expressions
PARKINSON’S: mechanism
- destruction of dopaminergic neurons in SUBSTANTIA NIGRA—> reduces dopamine actions in CORPUS STRIATUM
cells in substantia nigra are destroyed, results in degeneration of nerve terminals that secerete dopamine
dopamine depletion—-> blocks the autoinhibition of ACh and releases MORE in corpus—-> triggers chain of abnormal signaling resulting in motor impairment
SIMPLE: dopamine neurons destroyed, not able to inhibit ACh firing, starts firing like crazy and results in motor impairment
secondary parkinsonism
drugs blocking dopamine receptors in brain may produce Parkinsonism SYMPTOMS
- drugs should be used cautiously in PD patients
Substantia Nigra and Corpus Stratum importance
- these are parts of basal ganglia system that are involved in motor control
Drugs used in PARKINSON’S, categories?
Levodopa w carbidopa
selegiline, rasagiline, safinamide
entacapone and tolcapone
amantadine
MAO-B selective Inhibitors, COMT Inhibitors, Dopamine Agonists, Antimuscarinic Agents
Therapeutic Strategies of treating PARKINSON’S
need to try and reestablish correct dopamine/ACh balance by:
- restoring dopamine in basal ganglia
- antagonizing excitatory effect of cholinergic neurons
restore balance in this CIRCUIT
GOALS of treating PARKINSON’S
drug therapy is aimed at achieving a balance between stimulating cholinergic effects and inhibitory effects of dopamine in basal ganglia
type 1 drugs vs. type 2 drugs
type 1: for inhibition
- inc dopamine conc
- inc dopamine release
- stimulate dopamine receptors
type 2: stimulation
- anticholinergic drugs block stimulant (of cholinergic neurons)
LEVODOPA and CARBIDOPA: MOA
(combination therapy)
levodopa: restore dopaminergic neurotransmission in the neostriatum, ENHANCE synth of dopamine in surviving neurons of susbstantia nigra
carbidopa: diminish metabolism of levodopa in periphery, inc levodopa availability to CNS (gets in through transporter AADC)
neurotransmission L-dopa and carbidopa
PERIPHERY: Carbidopa stops DDC (dopa decarboxylase) inhibits levodopa metabolism, L-dopa turns into DOPA, and crosses BBB into neuron to be turned into dopamine
CNS: tyrosine converted by TH (tyrosine hydroxylase) into L-dopa, AADC (amino acid decarboxylase) makes that into Dopamine
administered levodopa vs. levodopa plus carbidopa
administered levodopa will undergo metabolism in peripheral tissues and GI tract, cause undesirable side effects and result in LOST LEVODOPA (less drug to go to CNS)
levo+carbidopa decreases metabolism in periphery/GI, less side effects, and MORE levodopa to go into CNS (cross BBB)
what does carbidopa do for levodopa?
it blocks the DECARBOXYLASE ENZYME that is trying to metabolize levodopa
LEts CARry the drug to the brain!
LEVODOPA and CARBIDOPA: indications and therapeutic effects, withdrawal?
- treat PD
effects: - dec rigidity, tremor, and other symptoms
WITHDRAWAL MUST BE GRADUAL
LEVODOPA and CARBIDOPA: absorption/metabolism
- SHORT half-life (1-2 hrs), fluctuates in plasma conc.
- motor fluctuations–> PT may suddenly lose normal mobility, experience tremors, cramps, immobility