Alterations in Normal Nervous System Function

This is a set of flashcards based on the lecture notes regarding alterations in normal nervous system function, highlighting neurodegenerative disorders, symptoms, and treatments.

Which neurodegenerative disorders were discussed in the lecture?

Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Motor neuron disease, Frontotemporal dementia, Spinocerebellar ataxia, and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

What are the classical hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease?

Amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and brain atrophy.

What is the estimated number of Australians living with dementia?

487,500 Australians.

What are some common cognitive symptoms of dementia?

Memory loss, difficulty communicating, visual-spatial difficulties, and confusion.

What are the common pathways of neurodegeneration?

Metabolic failure, disruption of axonal transport, mitochondrial dysfunction, and protein aggregation.

What is the most common cause of dementia?

Alzheimer's disease.

What kind of symptoms are associated with Parkinson’s disease?

Motor symptoms like bradykinesia, rigidity, resting tremor, and non-motor symptoms like cognitive impairment.

What pathophysiological feature is characteristic of motor neuron disease (MND)?

Progressive loss of both upper and lower motor neurons.

What is the treatment approach for multiple sclerosis?

Disease-modifying treatments that reduce relapses and disease progression.

What is the typical progression pattern in patients with Alzheimer's disease?

Progressive symptoms leading to memory loss and eventual death.

What are the two types of spinal cord injuries?

Complete and incomplete spinal cord injuries.

What is the role of the Apolipoprotein E4 genotype in Alzheimer's disease?

It increases the risk of developing sporadic Alzheimer's disease by three times.

What does the acronym F.A.S.T. stand for in recognizing stroke symptoms?

Face, Arms, Speech, Time.

What is the significance of Lecanemab in Alzheimer's treatment?

It is a monoclonal antibody that breaks down amyloid plaques in the brain.

What are the main symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia?

Hypertension, headache, and flushing above the lesion.

What is the relationship between age and neurodegenerative disorders?

The risk of developing neurodegenerative disorders often increases with age.

How do neurodegenerative disorders affect daily life?

Definition: They can impair movement, cognitive function, and the ability to perform everyday tasks, affecting overall quality of life.

What is the role of oxidative stress in neurodegenerative disorders?

Oxidative stress can lead to neuronal damage and plays a significant role in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.

What is a neurodegenerative disorder?

A neurodegenerative disorder is a type of condition characterized by the progressive degeneration of the structure and function of the nervous system.

What are common pathways of neurodegeneration?

Common pathways include metabolic failure, disruption of axonal transport, mitochondrial dysfunction, and protein aggregation.

What is metabolic failure in the context of neurodegeneration?

Metabolic failure refers to the inability of neurons to obtain sufficient energy and nutrients, leading to cell dysfunction and death.

How does disruption of axonal transport contribute to neurodegeneration?

Axonal transport is responsible for moving essential materials (e.g., proteins, organelles, neurotransmitters) along the neuron. When this system is disrupted neurons cannot deliver nutrients or remove waste effectively. This leads to accumulation of toxic substances, energy deficits, and impaired cell function. Over time, this causes synaptic failure and activates cell death pathways, contributing to neurodegeneration.

What role does mitochondrial dysfunction play in neurodegenerative diseases?

Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with reduced energy production and increased oxidative stress, contributing to neuronal damage

What is protein aggregation, and why is it significant in neurodegeneration?

Protein aggregation occurs when misfolded proteins clump together and become toxic. These aggregates disrupt normal cell function by impairing intracellular transport, damaging cell membranes, and interfering with synaptic communication. They can also overwhelm protein degradation systems and trigger inflammation and oxidative stress. This leads to cellular dysfunction and activation of cell death pathways, contributing to neurodegeneration in disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

What is protein aggregation?

Protein aggregation occurs when misfolded proteins accumulate in cells.

Why is protein aggregation significant in neurodegeneration?

It leads to toxicity and disruption of cellular functions, contributing to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Protein aggregrates in Alzheimers disease?

Deposition of amyloid-beta protein which form extracellular plaques, and hydrophosphorylated tau protein, which causes intracellular neurofibillary tangles

Protein aggregrates in Parkinsons disease?

accumulation of alpha-synuclein within lewy bodies which disrupt neuronal function and contribute to cell death.

Protein aggregrates in Huntington’s disease?

caused by aggregates of mutated huntingtin protein that lead to neuronal degeneration and motor dysfunction.

Protein aggregrates in Amytrophic Lateral Sclerosis?

abnormal aggregates of proteins TDP-43 and SOD1, primarily affecting motor neurons

Protein aggregrates in Frontotemporal Dementia/Degeneration?

involves the accumulation of tau proteins which form neurofibrillary tangles and contribute to neuronal dysfunction and cell death, changing behaviour, personality, and cognition

Treatments for Alzheimers?

Monoclonal antibody therapies such as Lecanemab and Donanemab that work by:

• targetting amyloid-beta proteins in the brain

• helping the immune system clear amyloid plaques

• slowing disease progression

LIMITATIONS:

• high cost

• potential side effects like brain swelling and brain bleeds

Treatments for Parkinsons

include medications such as levodopa and dopamine agonists that aim to increase dopamine levels in the brain, improve motor symptoms, and enhance quality of life.

What is multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the protective myelin sheath covering nerve fibers in the central nervous system, leading to communication disruptions between the brain and the body. This results in various symptoms including fatigue, difficulty walking, vision problems, and cognitive impairments.

Treatments for multiple sclerosis

There are several therapies available, including disease-modifying treatments like interferons and monoclonal antibodies, which reduce the frequency of relapses and slow disease progression.