Drug treatment of motor system disorders

Question 1

Name the group of diseases that affect the brain and and nervous system of many animals, including humans.

Answer 1

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) or prion diseases.
They cause impairment of brain function, including memory changes and problems with movement.

Question 2

Which channel in the outer mitochondrial membrane fuctions as a major channel allowing passage of small molecules and ions between the mitochondrial inter-membrane space and cytoplasm?

Answer 2

The voltage dependent anion channel (VDAC)

Question 3

Which two channels form the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP)?.

Answer 3

The voltage dependent anion channel (VDAC) and the adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT)

Question 4

Briefly whats the role of L-dopa?

Answer 4

Increasing the synthesis of dopamine

Question 5

Briefly whats the role of selegiline (MAO B inhibitor)?

Answer 5

Inhibiting the catabolism of dopamine

Question 6

Briefly whats the role of tolcapone (catechol-O-mathlytransferase inhibitor)?

Answer 6

Inhibiting the catabolism of dopamine

Question 7

Briefly whats the role of amantadine?

Answer 7

Blocking the uptake and enhancing the release of dopamine. (enhances DA release and blocks NMDA receptors)

Question 8

Briefly whats the role of Bromocriptine and pramipexole?

Answer 8

Stimulating the dopamine receptor sites directly

Question 9

Chorea is the only symptom for which there is a formally approved treatment for HD. What is that treatment?

Answer 9

Tetrabenazine

Question 10

Name ALS drug treatments

Answer 10

Riluzole, Edaravone

Question 11

Name some agents that target nucleic acid metabolism in MS.

Answer 11

Mitoxantrone, oral cladribine and oral terfilunomide

Question 12

What type of drug is mitoxantrone?

Answer 12

Type II toposiomerase inhibitor, disrupts DNA synthesis and DNA repair in both healthy cells and cancer cells by intercalation between DNA bases.

Question 13

What type of drug is oral cladribine?

Answer 13

Purine analogue taken up into rapidly proliferating cells, including B and T lymphocytes, to be incorporated into DNA synthesis. It mimics nuceloside adenoside, however, it is resistant to breakdown by adeonsine deaminase and accumulates in cells, interfering with their ability to process DNA.

Question 14

What type of drug is oral teriflunomide?

Answer 14

Active ,etabolite of lefluonmide. It inhibits de novo pyrimide synthesis by blocking the enzyme dihydrooroate dehydrogenase. It inhibits the proliferation of rapidly divinding cells, including activated T cells

Question 15

Where does natalizumab bind?

Answer 15

alpha4beta1 integrin on the surface of T lymphocytes and prevents them from binding to VCAM1 on the endothelium of the BBB and entering the CNS

Question 16

Name some agents which target specific T cell populations

Answer 16

Glatiramer, dimethly fumarate

Question 17

Name some agents that target specific B cell populations.

Answer 17

Ocrelizumab, Alemtuzumab

Question 18

Whats drugs downregulate S1PR1, interfering with the sensing of the S1P gradient and blocking exit of naive and effector cells from the lymph node and reentry of CNS reactive T cells into the circulation?

Answer 18

Fingolimod, siponimod and ozanimod