NEURO DEGENERATIVE DISORDERS

Parkinson's Disease

Progressive disorder causing degeneration in basal ganglia and substantia nigra, leading to dopamine deficiency and muscular decline

Alzheimer's

Degeneration in cells of the cerebral cortex, leading to memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and emotional disturbances

Huntington's Disease

Hereditary degeneration of cells in the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia, onset around 35-45 years old

ALS

Degeneration of all motor neurons, including upper and lower motor neurons, corticobulbar neurons, and cranial nerves with motor function

Degeneration in the cells in the cerebral cortex

Characteristic degeneration in the brain's outer layer, impacting various functions depending on the specific disorder

Degeneration of substantia nigra

Specific degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the midbrain, crucial for motor function

Degeneration of cells in the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia

Cell breakdown in brain regions affecting motor control and cognitive functions

Unknown Cause

Etiology not definitively identified, contributing to the complexity of these neurodegenerative disorders

Risk Factors

Elements like age, familial history, and exposure to certain chemicals that increase susceptibility to developing these disorders

Hereditary Cause

Genetic influence leading to the manifestation of the disorder, such as the autosomal dominant gene HTT in Huntington's disease

Onset 35-45 y/o

Typical age range when symptoms and signs of Huntington's disease may first appear

Destruction of acetylcholine receptors

Process where receptors for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine are damaged, affecting signal transmission in the central nervous system

Decreased Dopamine Production

Reduction in the synthesis of dopamine crucial for motor control and coordination in the basal ganglia

Increased Acetylcholine

Elevated levels of acetylcholine, acting as an excitatory neurotransmitter due to the imbalance caused by decreased dopamine

Overexcitation of Neurotransmitter

Excessive stimulation of neurotransmitters like glutamate, leading to abnormal neuronal activity

Focus Problems

Issues related to attention, concentration, and cognitive functions, varying based on the affected brain regions

Motor Neurons Degeneration

Progressive loss of motor neurons, impacting muscle control and movement abilities

Upper Motor Neurons

Neurons that originate in the brain and carry motor information down the spinal cord to control voluntary movements

Lower Motor Neurons

Neurons connecting the spinal cord to muscles, directly responsible for muscle contraction

Corticobulbar Neurons

Neurons connecting the motor cortex to the brainstem, influencing motor functions of the head and neck

Autosomal Dominant

Genetic inheritance pattern where a single copy of an altered gene from one parent is sufficient to cause the disorder

Precipitation of Abnormal CHON AMYLOID

Formation of abnormal protein aggregates during autopsy, characteristic of certain neurodegenerative disorders

Supporting Cognitive Function

Assisting in maintaining and enhancing mental processes like memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities

Promoting Physical Safety

Ensuring a safe environment to prevent accidents or injuries, especially considering the physical limitations of individuals with neurodegenerative disorders

Slowness of walking

Characteristic gait symptom in Parkinson's disease

Reduced arm swing

Diminished movement of arms while walking, a sign of Parkinson's disease

Postural instability

Impaired balance and coordination in Parkinson's disease

Imbalance

Lack of equilibrium, a common symptom in Parkinson's disease

PET scan

Imaging technique to detect reduced uptake of 18F-DOPA in Parkinson's disease

EEG

Electroencephalogram showing minimal slowing in Parkinson's disease

Altered body image

Change in perception of one's physical appearance due to Parkinson's disease

Powerlessness

Feeling of helplessness due to the debilitating effects of Parkinson's disease

Levodopa

Medication to increase dopamine levels in Parkinson's disease

Carbidopa

Drug added to levodopa to prevent its conversion into dopamine in the bloodstream

Anorexia

Loss of appetite, a side effect of levodopa in Parkinson's disease

Postural hypotension

Drop in blood pressure upon standing, a side effect of levodopa in Parkinson's disease

Dyskinesia

Involuntary muscle movements, a side effect of levodopa in Parkinson's disease

Benztropine mesylate

Anticholinergic drug that relieves tremors and rigidity in Parkinson's disease

Trihexyphenidyl

Medication that inhibits acetylcholine release to alleviate tremors and rigidity in Parkinson's disease

Bromocriptine mesylate

Drug that crosses the blood-brain barrier to stimulate dopamine receptors in Parkinson's disease

Deep brain stimulation

Surgical implantation of an electrode in the brain to increase dopamine release in Parkinson's disease

Neural transplantation

Experimental procedure using stem cells or fetal cells to treat Parkinson's disease

Alzheimer's Disease

Chronic degenerative disorder causing progressive dementia and cognitive decline

Amyloid beta

Protein that accumulates in the brain and contributes to neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease

Tau protein

Protein associated with the formation of tangles in the brain in Alzheimer's disease

Amyloid beta plaques

Aggregates of amyloid beta peptides linked to nerve cell damage in Alzheimer's disease

Stages of Alzheimer

Progressive phases of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease

Terminal Stage

Characterized by inability to walk, total incontinence, memory loss, and swallowing difficulty

Forgetfulness

Memory loss, e.g., getting lost in familiar places or repeating stories

Abstract Thinking

Inability to formulate concepts and think abstractly

Impulsive Behavior

Acting without thinking, lacking self-control

Paranoid Behavior

Exhibiting suspicious, hostile, and combative actions

Agitation

Restlessness and increased physical activity

Voracious Appetite

Excessive hunger due to high activity level

Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing, common in disease progression

Atrophy

Muscle wasting or degeneration

Neuropsychologic Testing

Evaluation supporting cognitive function and physical safety

Anticholinesterase Agents

Medications like Donepezil preventing acetylcholine breakdown for nerve cell communication

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Neurological disease affecting voluntary muscle control, rapidly progressing

Pyramidal Tract

Pathway for motor neurons from the brain to the spinal cord

Fasciculation

Fine twitching of muscle fibers

Respiratory Insufficiency

Inadequate breathing function

Riluzole (Rilutek)

Medication to prolong survival in ALS by reducing glutamate effects

Huntington Disease

Hereditary nervous system disorder causing involuntary movements and dementia

Chorea

Rapid, jerky, involuntary muscle movements

Cognitive Dysfunction

Impaired attention and emotion recognition

Triad of Symptoms

Motor dysfunction, cognitive issues, and behavioral changes

Tetrabenazine (Xenazine)

Medication to treat chorea symptoms in Huntington Disease

Phenothiazines

Medications like chlorpromazine to calm patients before meals

Speech Therapist

Professional assisting with communication difficulties