Transcript The Anatomy of Language Sydney Lamb Rice University, Houston

Famous Faces of Parkinson
Michael J. Fox
Katharine Hepburn
Muhammad Ali
Mao Tse Tung
Pope John Paul II
Johnny Cash
PARKINSON’S DISEASE
 WHAT IS IT?
 WHAT ARE THE CAUSES?
 WHAT AFFECTS DOES IT HAVE ON THE BODY?
 ARE THERE ANY TREATMENTS AVAILABLE?
 WHO IS AT RISK OF DEVELOPING THE
DISEASE?
These questions, and more, will be answered in this
presentation…
WHAT IS IT?
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) affects the brain’s ability to
produce dopamine.
Dopamine is a chemical messenger responsible for
transmitting signals within the brain.
Loss (or low levels) of Dopamine causes the Brain’s
critical nerve cells (in the substantia niagra) to fire
out of control. This is why patients have sporadic
muscle movements.
Dopamine Pathways in the Brain
Red arrows – functional suppression
Blue arrows – normal function
Courtesy of: Wikipedia.org
Mechanism
.
ACH
DOPA
ACH
DOPA
ACH
DOPA
What causes PD?
The exact cause of PD is not known, but most
researchers believe that it is a combination of both
environment and genetic factors.
Environmental toxins:
Incidences seem to vary by geographical locations. For
example, more cases are reported in locations where
certain pesticides and transition-series metals are present.
–Wikipedia.org
What causes PD?
Other risk factors:
Head trauma sufferers are 4 times more likely to
develop PD than those without head traumas.
(J.H. Bower study)
Antipsychotic medications can induce symptoms
of PD by lowering dopamine levels.
SYMPTOMS OF PD
MOST-COMMON SYMPTOMS:
Tremors
Rigidity
Slowness of Movement
Postural Instability
**It should be noted that symptoms usually increase
in severity over time.
SYMPTOMS OF PD
TREMORS:
 Maximal during muscular rest
 Minimal during muscular movement
 Uncontrollable
 Sporatic
SYMPTOMS OF PD
RIGIDITY:
 Increased muscular tone, which leads to stiffness.
 The muscles become inflexible, or rigid
SYMPTOMS OF PD
POSTURAL INSTABILITY
 Muscular rigidity leads to inflexibility, which leads to
the body having difficulty maintaining a fully-erect
posture.
 This impaired posture leads to balance problems, and
an increase in falls.
Photo courtesy of
Wikipedia
LESS–COMMON SYMPTOMS OF PD
The following symptoms have been reportedly linked with
Parkinson’s Disease. However, they seem to occur with less
frequency as the ones listed prior.
 Shuffling gait (short, quick steps, with the feet barely lifting from the







ground)
Decreased arm swing
Speech problems
Swallowing & Chewing disturbances
Mood disturbances (Depression)
Sleep disturbances (possibly due to muscle movements during REM
sleep)
Skin Problems
Urinary & Intestinal disturbances
DIAGNOSIS OF PD
Diagnosing PD can be difficult due to the nature of the
disease.
 Blood tests currently are not available for diagnosis.
 Advanced testing needs to be performed for accurate
evaluation of symptoms. One such test is known as the
PET.
PET scan Parkinson's Disease
“A PET scan can show patterns in the brain which
aid the physician in diagnosing and treating
TREATMENT OF PD
Unfortunately, there isn’t currently a cure for PD.
Although, several organizations are working diligently
to provide a medical breakthrough. (thru stem cell
research)
Consequently, drug therapy is the only current therapy
available to PD sufferers.
TREATMENT OF PD
 1.L dopa
 2-anticholinergic
 3-amantadin
 4-selegeline
 5-dopamin agonists
PD TREATMENT
1-LEVODOPA – is the most-widely used form of
treatment for PD. Levodopa is transformed into
Dopamine in the affected neurons.
 While this treatment is good in some ways, it also has a
variety of side affects. Not all of the Dopamine is taken
in by the affected area. Consequently, it is delivered to
other areas of the body.
PD TREATMENT
CARBIDOPA – Is another drug that is used in PD
treatment.
 Works by slowing the body’s conversion of Levodopa
to Dopamine. This helps aid the uptake of Dopamine
to affected cells, thus decreasing the amount of
Dopamine secreted to other areas of the body.
 Consequently, this process usually leads to a decrease
in side affects.
2-Amantadin
 Available:Cap 100 mg
 Mechanism: Dopami. Agonist-anti.cholin
 Doseage; one to 2 Cap daily
 Adventage;first line drug-decres dose of L Dopa
 Disadventages:Livedo reticularis-Vomiting-nausea
3-Anticholinergics
 Available:Bipiridine-artan 2 mg
 Mechanism: anti.cholinergic
 Doseage; one to 2 Tab daily maximum 8 mg
 Adventage;reduce tremor
 Disadventages:Hypotension/glaucoma/reduce
memory/BPH/salivation
 Never use after 70 yers
 Antidepressant
what
4-Selegeline
 Available:Tab 5 mg
 Mechanism: MAO inhibitor
 Doseage; one to 2 Tab daily
 Adventage;Preventsa progress of PD
 Disadventages:Arythmia/dizziness/vomiting
5-Dopamine agonists
 Available: 1-bromocrip tine 5mg
2-pramipexoloe.18-.7 mg
3-requipe.25-1 mg
 Mechanism: Dop agonist
 Doseage; one to 2 Tab daily
 Adventage;Lowering dose of l dopa/reduce Dyskinesia
 Disadventages:vomiting/lower BP
6-Others
 1-Never use D2 Antagonists
 2-Cisapride for constipation
 3-Ssris and tricyclics
 4-low meat
 5-Falling
 6- Eff tab Vitc
PD TREATMENT
THALAMOTOMY – Surgical destruction of the
thalamus.