L4 - Parkinsons

What are the three key focuses in understanding Parkinson's disease?

1. Pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease 2. Changes in the motor circuit occurring in Parkinson's 3. Mechanism of action and potential side effects of treatments for Parkinson's disease.

What is Parkinson's disease?

A chronic progressive disorder of the central nervous system that primarily affects movement.

How many people are estimated to live with Parkinson's disease in Australia?

Approximately 200,000 people.

What is the most common risk factor for developing Parkinson's disease?

Age.

What are the hallmark motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease?

Muscle tremors, Bradykinesia (slowing of movement), muscle weakness, rigidity, and altered posture.

What causes the hallmark symptoms of Parkinson's disease?

Degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra.

What protein misfolding is associated with Parkinson's disease?

Alpha synuclein, which forms Lewy bodies.

What is the primary pathological process involved in Parkinson's disease?

Progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra.

What roles do the direct and indirect pathways play in the context of Parkinson's disease?

The direct pathway promotes movement while the indirect pathway suppresses unwanted movement; in Parkinson's, the direct pathway is underactive and the indirect pathway is overactive.

What is the primary treatment for restoring dopamine levels in Parkinson's disease?

Levodopa (L-DOPA).

What are dopamine agonists?

Drugs that mimic dopamine actions by directly stimulating dopamine receptors.

What is the effect of monoamine oxidase B inhibitors in Parkinson's disease treatment?

They prevent the breakdown of dopamine, increasing its availability in the brain.

How do NMDA receptor antagonists exhibit their effect in Parkinson's disease?

They may provoke dopamine release from intact dopaminergic neurons and reduce glutamate overactivity.

What is the role of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists in treating Parkinson's disease?

They block acetylcholine from binding to receptors, reducing its inhibitory effects on dopaminergic activity.

What are COMT inhibitors used for in Parkinson's disease?

To enhance the effects of L-DOPA by preventing its breakdown, thus increasing dopamine availability.

What do current treatments for Parkinson's disease primarily focus on?

Managing symptoms rather than addressing the underlying neurodegeneration.

What emerging therapies are being explored for Parkinson's disease?

Precision approaches targeting specific cellular mechanisms and broad approaches addressing common neuronal abnormalities.