Famous Faces of Parkinson

Michael J. Fox

Muhammad Ali

Katharine Hepburn

Pope John Paul IIJohnny Cash

Mao Tse Tung

PARKINSON’S DISEASEWHAT 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

Courtesy of: Wikipedia.org

Red arrows – functional suppression

Blue arrows – normal function

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 PDMOST-COMMON SYMPTOMS:Tremors RigiditySlowness of MovementPostural Instability

**It should be noted that symptoms usually increase in severity over time.

SYMPTOMS OF PDTREMORS:Maximal during muscular restMinimal during muscular movementUncontrollableSporatic

SYMPTOMS OF PDRIGIDITY:Increased muscular tone, which leads to

stiffness. The muscles become inflexible, or rigid

SYMPTOMS OF PDPOSTURAL INSTABILITYMuscular 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 PDThe 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 PDDiagnosing 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 Parkinson's Disease.” – wikipedia.org

TREATMENT OF PDUnfortunately, 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 PD1.L dopa2-anticholinergic3-amantadin4-selegeline5-dopamin agonists

PD TREATMENT1-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 TREATMENTCARBIDOPA – 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 mgMechanism: Dopami. Agonist-anti.cholinDoseage; one to 2 Cap dailyAdventage;first line drug-decres dose of L

DopaDisadventages:Livedo reticularis-Vomiting-

nausea

3-AnticholinergicsAvailable:Bipiridine-artan 2 mgMechanism: anti.cholinergicDoseage; one to 2 Tab daily maximum 8 mgAdventage;reduce tremorDisadventages:Hypotension/glaucoma/reduce

memory/BPH/salivationNever use after 70 yers what Antidepressant

4-SelegelineAvailable:Tab 5 mgMechanism: MAO inhibitorDoseage; one to 2 Tab dailyAdventage;Preventsa progress of PDDisadventages:Arythmia/dizziness/vomiting

5-Dopamine agonistsAvailable: 1-bromocrip tine 5mg 2-pramipexoloe.18-.7 mg

3-requipe.25-1 mgMechanism: Dop agonistDoseage; one to 2 Tab dailyAdventage;Lowering dose of l dopa/reduce

DyskinesiaDisadventages:vomiting/lower BP

6-Others1-Never use D2 Antagonists 2-Cisapride for constipation3-Ssris and tricyclics4-low meat 5-Falling6- Eff tab Vitc

PD TREATMENTTHALAMOTOMY – Surgical destruction of the

thalamus.