Neuro/Autoimmune (Module 1) Flashcards
Parkinson’s Causes (Primary)
not known, combo of genetic and environmental factors
Parkinson’s Causes (Secondary)
antipsychotic drugs or another condition such as brain tumor or trauma
Huntingtons Disease Causes
hereditary; autosomal-dominant trait at conception
PD Pathophysiology
• chronic, terminal disease
• degeneration of substantia nigra cells in basal ganglia
• LOW DOPAMINE, which normally functions to promote voluntary muscle and sympathetic nervous system control
• works opposite acetylcholine: HIGH acetylcholine, leading to smooth controlled movement and sympathetic nervous system control issue
Huntingtons Disease Pathophysiology
• chronic, terminal disease
• alterations in dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and glutamate from basal ganglia
PD Disease Course
• steady and gradual decline (10-20 years)
• cognitive, mobility, and ADL function from mild to severe
• patients die from complications of immobility
PD Cardinal Symptoms
• tremor/pill rolling tremor of fingers usually 1st sign!
• muscle rigidity (rhythmic interruption, restrictive or total resistance to movement)
• bradykinesia (slow movement, masklike expression)
• postural instability (difficulty chewing, swallowing and drooling)
• mask like face
• slow decline over 10-20 yrs
affects facial expressions, speech, bowel and bladder
Huntingtons Disease Course
• gradual decline (15 yrs)
• cognitive and neuromuscular symptoms
• progressive dementia and choreiform movements (uncontrollable rapid, jerky movements) in limbs, trunk, and facial muscles; patients usually die from complications of impaired mobility
personality changes, mood swings, depression, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, weight loss
PD Risk Factors (Primary)
• male
• over 40
• family history (first-degree relatives)
PD Risk Factors (Secondary)
• traumatic brain injury
• brain tumor or other lesion
Huntingtons Disease Risk Factors
• dominant inheritance
• 30-50 years of age equally in men and women (when symptoms typically begin)
• caucasians higher risk
PD Etiology and Genetic Risk
• environmental and genetic factors
• exposure to chemicals and metals
• older than 40 yrs
• familial tendency
• exposure to antipsychotic meds
PD Incidence and Prevalence
• 60,000 new cases annually in people over 50
• 1 million live with PD
• 50% more men than women
PD Labs/Diagnostics
• no specific tests (may do CSF, MRI, or SPECT)
• diagnosis made by brain autopsy (Lewy bodies and neuronal loss in substantia nigra); or diagnose by clinical manifestations and ruling out other diseases
• Stage 1 (mild) to Stage 5 (severe)
Huntingtons Labs/Diagnostics
• HD genetic test (gene present?)
• computerized tomography (CT) scans- frontal horn enlargement
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• position emission tomography (PET) scanning
PD Physical Assessment
• resting tremors in UE
• rigidity assessment
• facial expression (“masklike”)
• emotional changes
• speech changes
• bowel and bladder changes
PD Meds
• Dopaminergics: levodopa/carbadopa (Sinemet)
• pramipexole (mirapex)/ropinirole (requip) (DOPAMINE AGONISTS) se is OH
• anticholinergics (trihexyphenidyl (artane), benztropine (cogentin)) for tremors
• catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors (Entacapone (Comtan))
• Monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) inhibitors- Selegiline for 0 tyramine
• Antivirals (Amantadine)
Levodopa (PD)
converted to dopamine in the brain
Carbidopa (PD)
combined with levodopa to decrease the breakdown of levodopa
Dopamine Agonists (PD)
activate release of dopamine
can cause orthostatic hypotension, drowsiness, dyskinesias, and hallucinations
Anticholinergics (PD)
treat tremors
monitor for effects like dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, and acute confusion
Huntingtons Meds
• tetrabenazine (xenazone)
• other antipsychotics may be used for psych symptoms
Tetrabenazine (Xenazone) (HD)
FDA approved to suppress involuntary chorea movements (SE: new/worse depression, drowsiness, nausea, restlessness)
COMT Inhibitors (Entacapone/Comtan) (PD)
taken with levodopa (decreases breakdown of levodopa)
dark urine is normal