8.3.1 Parkinson's Disease

• What type of disorder is Parkinson's Disease?

  Neurodegenerative
• Parkinson's Disease is characterized by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra of the midbrain.
• Tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability are common symptoms of Parkinson's Disease.
• What are the two main categories of factors that cause Parkinson's Disease?

  Genetic and environmental
• Match the risk factor with its description:

  Age ↔️ Risk increases with age

  Genetics ↔️ Family history and gene mutations

  Environmental Toxins ↔️ Exposure to pesticides

  Head Trauma ↔️ History of head injury
• Mutations in the SNCA and PARK2 genes are examples of genetic risk factors for Parkinson's Disease.
• What type of environmental toxin exposure is linked to a higher risk of Parkinson's Disease?

  Pesticides
• A history of head trauma may increase the risk of developing Parkinson's Disease.
• Arrange the following areas in order of their role in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's Disease:

  1️⃣ Substantia Nigra

  2️⃣ Basal Ganglia Circuit
• What happens to dopamine levels in the substantia nigra of individuals with Parkinson's Disease?

  Decreased
• Bradykinesia refers to the slowness of movement in individuals with Parkinson's Disease.
• Match the symptom of Parkinson's Disease with its description:

  Tremor ↔️ Uncontrollable shaking

  Rigidity ↔️ Stiffness of muscles

  Bradykinesia ↔️ Slowness of movement

  Postural Instability ↔️ Impaired balance
• The symptoms of Parkinson's Disease arise from the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the basal ganglia.

  False
• What is the primary focus of the pathophysiology of Parkinson's Disease?

  Dopamine-producing neurons
• What combination of factors causes Parkinson's Disease?

  Genetic and environmental factors
• Parkinson's Disease leads to the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra
• Mutations in the SNCA and PARK2 genes are examples of genetic risk factors for Parkinson's Disease.
• Match the risk factor with its description:

  Age ↔️ Risk increases after 60

  Head Trauma ↔️ May increase disease risk

  Environmental Toxins ↔️ Pesticide exposure is an example
• Pesticide exposure is a significant environmental factor that increases the risk of developing Parkinson's Disease
• What is the role of dopamine in motor control?

  Regulates motor control
• The basal ganglia circuit is disrupted in Parkinson's Disease due to the depletion of dopamine
• The loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra leads to decreased dopamine levels.
• What motor symptom results from insufficient dopamine levels in the basal ganglia circuit?

  Bradykinesia
• Match the area affected with its motor control impact:

  Substantia Nigra ↔️ Impaired motor control

  Basal Ganglia Circuit ↔️ Reduced motor function
• Which motor symptom often starts in the hand and involves uncontrollable shaking?

  Tremor
• Rigidity in Parkinson's Disease refers to muscle stiffness and inflexibility
• Postural instability in Parkinson's Disease can lead to frequent falls.
• What is an example of a non-motor symptom in Parkinson's Disease?

  Depression
• Diagnosing Parkinson's Disease involves a clinical evaluation by a neurologist
• Which imaging technique is used to rule out other conditions in diagnosing Parkinson's Disease?

  MRI
• Levodopa reduces motor symptoms by converting to dopamine in the brain.
• Match the treatment with its mechanism:

  Levodopa ↔️ Converts to dopamine

  MAO-B Inhibitors ↔️ Prevent dopamine breakdown

  Deep Brain Stimulation ↔️ Regulates brain activity
• What is a key benefit of dopamine agonists over levodopa in Parkinson's Disease treatment?

  Less risk of dyskinesia
• Gene therapy in Parkinson's Disease aims to enhance dopamine production
• Neuroprotective agents in research aim to slow the progression of Parkinson's Disease by reducing neuronal loss.
• What is the primary characteristic of Parkinson's Disease?

  Loss of dopamine neurons
• The depletion of dopamine in Parkinson's Disease disrupts the basal ganglia circuit
• What is the central cause of Parkinson's Disease?

  Loss of dopamine-producing neurons
• The loss of dopamine-producing neurons occurs in the substantia nigra
• Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that regulates motor control.