Parkinson's diseases Flashcards
1
Q
what is the blood barrier
A
- formed from the endothelium cells of the capillaries in the brain forming very tight junctions
- the blood brain barrier is designed to control the movement of substances into the brain
- it is very effective in protecting the brain from common bacterial infections although some viruses can cross the blood barrier
- if a brain infection does occur they are very difficult to treat as only some drugs can cross the blood-barrier
2
Q
how is parkinsons detected
A
by a fMRI or PET scan and comparing the size and colour difference of the basal ganglia to a normal patient
3
Q
what causes parkinsons
A
dopamine-secreting neurones in the basal ganglia die so the motor cortex receives a decreased amount of dopamine resulting in a loss of control in muscular movement. as the level of dopamine continues to fall the symptoms get worse which is why it is a progressive disease
4
Q
why is parkinsons difficult to teat with surgery
A
the basal ganglia is in the core if the middle part of the brain so inaccessible to surgery
5
Q
what does dopamine do
A
allows impulses to be sent to the parts of the brain that co-ordinate movement
6
Q
symptoms of parkinsons
A
- muscle stiffness
- muscle tremors
- slower movement
- poor balance
- walking problems
7
Q
how does L-Dopa treat parkinsons
A
- L-Dopa in converted into dopamine in the brain and can cross the blood-barrier
- L-Dopa is a similar shape ad structure to dopamine so it can bind to a dopamine protein receptor causing action proteins to be generate
