Parkinsons Disease Flashcards
What neurotransmitter is involved in PD and explain
Loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of basal ganglia
symptoms asymmetrical or symmetrical?
asymmetrical - 1 side more affected than the other
triad of features
resting tremor
bradykinesia
cogwheel rigidity
what are the basal ganglia?
group of structures in middle of brain that are responsible for coordinating habitual movements eg walking or looking around and control voluntary movements and learning movement patterns
what part of basal ganglia produce dopamine?
substantia nigra
what is dopamine essential for?
correct functioning of basal ganglia
typical PD patient
older aged man around the age of 70
frequency of tremor
4-6 times a second
how is the tremor often described?
pill rolling tremor
what makes the tremor worse and better?
pronounced when at rest and improves with voluntary movement
worse if patient distracted
what is rigidity?
resistance to passive movement of a joint
How does bradykinesia present?
shuffling gait
handwriting smaller and smaller
reduced facial movements - hypomimia
difficult initiating movement
other conditions which can affect PD patients
depression sleep disturbance and insomnia anosmia postural instability cognition and memory problems
PD tremor vs benign essential tremor
PD = asymmetrical, worse at rest, improves with intentional movement, other PD features, no change with alcohol BET = symmetrical, improves at rest, improves with alcohol, worse with intentional movement`
Parkinson’s plus syndromes
dementia with lewy bodies
multiple system atrophy
progressive supranuclear palsy
