Parkinson's disease

Question 1

What is it ?

Answer 1

Chronic, progressive neurodegenerative condition affects motor control

Question 2

What causes it ?

Answer 2

Loss of Dopamine producing neurons in substantia nigra + accumulation of alpha-synuclein

Question 3

Main symptoms ?

Answer 3

Bradykinesia (Slow movement), tremor, rigidity

Question 4

What brain pathway is affected in PD?

Answer 4

Nigrostriatial Pathway (Connects substantia Nigra to Striatum) needed for motor control

Question 5

How does dopamine affect movement pathways?

Answer 5

stimulates direct pathway (via D1) + inhibits the indirect pathway (via D2), helping to start movement

Question 6

What happens when dopamine is lost in PD ?

Answer 6

Direct D1 pathway WEAKENS. Indirect D2 pathway OVERSTIMULATES. MORE thalamus inhibition. LESS movement

Question 7

What are Lewy bodies?

Answer 7

Misfolded alpha-synuclein protein aggregates found in neurons. Found in pppl with PD

Question 8

gold standard treatment for PD?

Answer 8

Levodopa (L-Dopa) + Peripheral AADC inhibitor

Question 9

other drugs used in PD treatment ?

Answer 9

Dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors

Question 10

when is levodopa first-line?

Answer 10

EARLY PD- When motor symptoms affect quality of life

Question 11

When is Amantidine used in PD ?

Answer 11

L-Dopa induced Dyskinesia (Abnormal movement)