Neuro-degenerative disorders

Question 1

What is a neuro-degenerative disorder?

Answer 1

They are hereditary (passed down) and sporadic (huge range) conditions which are cause because the nervous system gets progressively worse
They affect us when we are older, and are linked to changes in the affect central or peripheral structures of the nervous system (gets less effective)

Question 2

How does this occur? (mechanisms)

Answer 2

Insoluble protein aggregates (bundles of unremoveable proteins) accumulate around and within neurons, so they are in the wrong place.
This means that the functions of the neurons is interfered with - which can cause the disorder or a symptom
Cell death (apoptosis, necrosis, toxicity) means that the balance between the toxic and protective factors can determine whether a cell lives or dies BUT some cell deaths are normal (apoptosis)

Question 3

Determine the characteristics of mild cognitive impairment

Answer 3

Cells begin to fail to synthesis proteins – which affects the immune system, bones, muscles, hormones an sensory activity
Brain weight can decrease by 10% in later life (loss of neurons, connections and structure)
Cognitive function and memory can decline - but it does not have a significant impact on life (for example. forgetting your daughters birthday)

Question 4

Determine the characteristics of dementia

Answer 4

This is an abnormal deterioration in memory, thinking, behaviour, which affects the ability to perform everyday activities that affects mainly older people
(for example forgetting that you have a daughter)

Question 5

What is cognitive reserve?

Answer 5

It relates to how dementia manifests itself in people due to individual differences (how fast they get symptoms, how long they stay in a particular stage)
Those with high cognitive reserve can somehow compensate for the effects of dementia for longer and don’t have as many symptoms at first.
So the biology of the disease interacts with a persons psychology

Question 6

Outline Alzheimer’s Disease

Answer 6

Symptoms include memory loss, apraxia (motor difficulties), agnosia (naming objects problems) executive function loss, and aphasia (speech problems). They can have mood swings and lose bodily functions (incontinence)
The biggest risk is from 65-80 years - once you are over 85 it is unlikely you will ever get it.
There is no cure but there is only a 5-10 year life expectancy after diagnosis

Question 7

Describe the brain changes of those with AD

Answer 7

Damage to the hippocampus leads to anterograde amnesia, which means you are unable to create new memories and recall of the recent past, but the LTM remains intact.
Loss of cortex has effects on executive functions, movement, language and naming difficulties

Question 8

What are some symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 8

Sufferers have movement anomalies, bradykinesia (slow movement) and are rigid or unstable. They find it hard to start or stop movement. It may be followed by dementia and affect memory.
The typical age of onset is 60 years.

Question 9

What are some causes of Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 9

When there is a loss of dopaminergic neurons (neurons that used dopamine and are involved in motor control timings). This starts in the basal ganglia (midbrain)
There is cell death along with accumulation of a protien called alpha synucelin in the neurons

Question 10

What are some treatments for Parkinson’s?

Answer 10

Drug treatments that up-regulation of dopamine levels and slow down symptoms - but they are only short term fixes 
Dopamine precursors (L-Dopa) is turned into dopamine (using enzymes that break down dopamine)