Parkinson's Knowledge 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which neurotransmitter is primarily deficient in Parkinson's disease?
- Serotonin
- Dopamine (Correct answer)
- Acetylcholine
- GABA
Correct answer: Dopamine
Parkinson's disease is caused by the progressive loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra.
Question 2: What are Lewy bodies, commonly found in the brains of Parkinson's patients?
- Clusters of dead neurons
- Abnormal protein aggregates containing alpha-synuclein (Correct answer)
- Scar tissue from neuronal damage
- Calcium deposits in brain tissue
Correct answer: Abnormal protein aggregates containing alpha-synuclein
Lewy bodies are abnormal clumps of misfolded alpha-synuclein protein that accumulate inside neurons.
Question 3: Which stage of the Hoehn and Yahr scale indicates bilateral involvement without impairment of balance?
- Stage 1
- Stage 2 (Correct answer)
- Stage 3
- Stage 4
Correct answer: Stage 2
Stage 2 on the Hoehn and Yahr scale describes bilateral motor symptoms without balance impairment.
Question 4: What term describes the reduced or absent facial expression commonly seen in Parkinson's disease?
- Apraxia
- Hypomimia (Correct answer)
- Dysarthria
- Akinesia
Correct answer: Hypomimia
Hypomimia (also called 'masked face') refers to reduced facial expressiveness due to motor rigidity.
Question 5: Which type of tremor is most characteristic of Parkinson's disease?
- Intention tremor
- Postural tremor
- Resting tremor (Correct answer)
- Essential tremor
Correct answer: Resting tremor
A resting tremor — one that occurs when the limb is at rest — is the hallmark tremor of Parkinson's disease.
Question 6: What is the main purpose of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in Parkinson's treatment?
- Regrow dopaminergic neurons
- Modulate abnormal electrical activity in motor circuits (Correct answer)
- Deliver dopamine directly to the brain
- Reduce inflammation in the substantia nigra
Correct answer: Modulate abnormal electrical activity in motor circuits
DBS uses electrical impulses to modulate overactive or abnormal firing patterns in motor-related brain regions.
Question 7: Which symptom category falls under the non-motor features of Parkinson's disease?
- Bradykinesia
- Postural instability
- REM sleep behavior disorder (Correct answer)
- Lead-pipe rigidity
Correct answer: REM sleep behavior disorder
REM sleep behavior disorder — acting out dreams during sleep — is a recognized non-motor symptom of Parkinson's disease.
Parkinson's Knowledge 2
Which neurotransmitter is primarily deficient in Parkinson's disease?