Flashcards in Neurodegenerative Diseases Deck (11)
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1
Three hallmarks of Alzheimer pathology
1) Decreased cholinergic transmission in the hippocampus (memory center) and frontal cortex (executive function/decision making)
2) Amyloid plaques (amyloid beta)
3) Neurofibrillary tangles (hyperphosphorylated tau)
2
Do any of the alzheimer medications halt the disease?
No.
3
This gene is used to predict risk for Alzheimer's
ApoE (gene that helps clear the plaques)
ApoE2- Lower AD risk
ApoE3- Normal risk
ApoE4- High risk
-> 1 copy = 3x risk
-> 2 copies = 12-15x risk
4
APP stands for
Amyloid precursor protein
5
Early onset AD is usually due to
Genetic factors
6
Early onset is defined as developing AD before age
60
7
Parkinson's is characterized by
Muscle rigidity, tremor at rest, difficulty starting and stopping movement, cognitive impairments and depression
8
Parkinson symptoms won't occur until ___% of neurons between _____ and ______ are lost
70%
Substantia nigra and striatum
9
What is the hallmark of PD?
Lewy Bodies
10
What are Lewy bodies?
Protein aggregates composed of alpha-synuclein protein. The function of this protein is unclear. It may function at synapses or ER-golgi trafficking.
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