Transcript Neurodegenerative diseases

Introduction
Neurodegeneration is the umbrella term
for the progressive loss of structure or
function of neurons, including death of
neurons. Many neurodegenerative
diseases including Parkinson´s and
Alzheimer´s occur as a result of
neurodegenerative processes.
Para-sagittal MRI of the head in a
patient with benign familial
macrocephaly.
Alzheimer´s Disease
• Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer
Type (SDAT) or simply Alzheimer's,
is the most common form of
dementia. This incurable,
degenerative, and terminal disease
was first described by German
psychiatrist and neuropathology’s
Alois Alzheimer in 1906 and was
named after him.
Stages:
•
Pre-dementia:The most noticeable deficit is
memory loss and inability to acquire new
information.
•
Early:Difficulties with language, executive
functions, perception, or execution of
movements
•
Moderate:Memory problems increase, the
person sometimes can’t recognize close
relatives. Long-term memory, which was
previously becomes impaired.
•
Advanced:the person is completely
dependent upon caregivers. Muscle and
mobility deteriorate until they are bedridden,
and lose the ability to feed themselves.
Treatement
• Alzheimer's has no current cure, but
treatments for symptoms can
temporarily slow the worsening of
dementia symptoms and improve
quality of life for those with
Alzheimer's and the people who take
care of them.
Multiple Sclerosis
• A chronic,
progressive
neurologic
disease
characterized by
scattered
demyelination of
nerve fibers in the
brain and spinal
cord.
Stephen Hawking
MS- Incidence
• Peak onset 20-40 years of age
• 70% between ages 21-40
• Rarely prior to age 10 or after age 60
• F > M (approx. 2:1)
• White > non-white (2:1)
.
Results Of Demyelination
•Conduction block at site of lesion
•Slower conduction time along affected nerve
•Increased subjective feeling of fatigue secondary
to compensation for neurologic deficits
Cerebellar signs
-Incoordination
(problems with heel-to-shin test)
-Slowing of rapid repeating movements
-Scanning speech
-Loss of balance
PARKINSON
Researchers don´t know when
Parkinson´s disease started
but medical scientists have
been treating Parkinson´s
disease for thousands of
years. Was known before as
the «shaking palsy»
The first medical text appeared
about 2,500 years ago in
China.
There are many foundations
that have joined to help people
with Parkinson´s disease.
Some of the symptoms are:
•Tremors
•Rigidity
•Bradykinesia (slowness in
voluntary movement)
•Postural instability
•Parkinsonian gait (people
with advanced Parkinson´s
disease develop a shuffling
walk)
•Anxiety
Causes:
The lack of dopamine
causes the motor symptoms
of Parkinson's disease.
Genetic and pathological
studies reveal that
inflammation, and stress
can contribute to cell
damage.
Scientists suspect that the
loss of dopamine is due
genetic and environmental
factors.
Scientists and researchers
haven´t found the cure of
Parkinson´s Disease.
People with PD still attend to
therapies so that their
dopamine levels can
increase!
The most effective therapy is
levodopa (Sinemet), because
its directly converted into
dopamine in the brain.
REFERENCES
Everyday Health
Medicinenet
•http://www.medicinenet.com/pa
rkinsons_disease/page5.htm#tr
eatment
http://www.everydayhealth.com/parkinsonsdisease/history-of-parkinsons-disease.aspx
National Parkinson Foundation
http://www.parkinson.org/Parkinson-sDisease/Diagnosis
And
By
WIKIPEDIA
Sofia Del
Barrio Rey
and Andrés
Savchynets