Term
| Parkinson's: Neurotransmitters affected |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Parkinson's: Neurological abnormality |
|
Definition
| Neural atrophy in basal ganglia and frontal lobes. Insufficient dopamine produced by the substantia nigri in basal ganglia. |
|
|
Term
| Parkinson's: Key symptoms |
|
Definition
Hypokinesia (reduced spontaneous movement) and akinesia (absence of spontaneous movement)
Stooped posture, muscle rigidity, cogwheeling, resting tremors, shuffling gait, masked facies, loss of arm swing, difficulty initiating or ceasing movements, and festination. |
|
|
Term
| Parkinson's: Secondary symptoms (about 1/3 of patients have these symptoms) |
|
Definition
1. Anterograde amnesia (encoding and retrieving impaired, but storage function still working (RECOGNITION BETTER THAN FREE RECALL)
2. Retrograde amnesia.
3. Executive function, abstract resaoning impaired.
4. Attention functions impaired.
5. Spatial constructional skills poor.
6. Slowed cognitive and perceptual-motor speed.
7. Implicit memory severely impaired; unable to learn new perceptual-motor skills. |
|
|
Term
| Parkinson's: Treatment focus |
|
Definition
| Increase Dopamine and decrease Ach. |
|
|
Term
| Parkinson's: Pharmaceuticals |
|
Definition
L-Dopa/Levo-dopa
Decarboxylase inhibitors (Carbidopa and benserazide) decrease the metabolism of L-dopa in the digestive system before it reaches the brain
Dopamine receptor agonists -- bromocriptine (Perlodel), apomorphine, lisuride, and pergolide (Permax)
Dopamine releasing agents
MAO Inhibitors (Selegiline/Deprenyl)
Anticholinergic drugs to block Ach (benzotropine/Cogentin, biperiden/Akineton, trihexyphenidily, procyclindine
(Beware dementia-like side effects) |
|
|
Term
| Parkinson's: Dopamine Receptor Agonists |
|
Definition
Bromocriptine (Perlodel), Apomorphine, lisuride, pergolide (Permax)
Helps smooth out some of the symptoms of slowness or tremor. Tolerance within about one year. |
|
|
Term
| Parkinson's: Dopamine releasing agents |
|
Definition
Amantadine (Symmetrel)
Stimulates release of naturally occurring dopamine. Tolerance within about one year. |
|
|
Term
| Parkinson's: Monoamine oxidase inhibitor |
|
Definition
Selegiline (Deprenyl)
Prevents metabolism of L-Dopa. |
|
|
Term
| Parkinson's: Anticholinergic drugs |
|
Definition
Benzotropine (Cogentin), biperiden (Akineton), trihexyphenidyl, and procyclidine.
Blocks the action of acetylcholine in the brain. Reduces tremors and muscle rigidity, but does not improve bradykinesia or abnormalities in posture and gait. |
|
|
Term
| Parkinson's: Side effects of anticholinergic drugs |
|
Definition
Dry mouth
constipation
urinary retention
blurred vision
In older adults: Confusion, disorientation to time and place, deficits in memory.
Discontinuation of anticholinergics quickly reverses mental changes. |
|
|
Term
| Parkinson's: Dopamine synthesizing agent |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Parkinson's: metabolism inhibiting agent (for L-dopa) |
|
Definition
| Decarbooxylase inhibitors |
|
|
