By:Megan Foster

and Raven Leonard

What is Parkinson’s Disease

• Motor system disorder• Progressive

degenerative disorder• Imbalance of the

neurotransmitters, acetylcholine and dopamine in the brain

Acetylcholine Dopamine

Acetylcholine

Dopamine

Normal balance (Average Joe)

Parkinson’s Disease(Michael J. Fox)

Dopamine imbalance exhibited in Parkinson’s Disease

5 Stages of Parkinson’s Disease

• Stage 1 – Mild symptoms that inconvenience day to day tasks.

• Stage 2 – Bilateral symptoms, affecting both limbs on both sides of the body.

• Stage 3 – Severe symptoms.• Stage 4 – Severe symptoms progress.• Stage 5 - Complete immobility

Major Symptoms

Treatment of Parkinson’s

• Currently there is no cure.• There is a wide variety of medications on the

market use to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.

Drugs Used to Treat Parkinson’sDopaminergic Drugs

Generic Name Brand Name Route Pharmacokinetics regarding Parkinson’s Disease

Amantadine HCl Symmetrel PO Dopamine agonist- increases the amt. of dopamine in brain

Bromocriptine mesylate

Parlodel PO Dopamine receptor stimulant- encourages the release of dopamine

Carbidopa-levodopa

Sinemet PO Enters the brain, then converted to dopamine

Pergolide myselate Permax PO Produces the same effects as dopamine

Pramipexole Mirapex PO Stimulates dopamine receptors

Ropinirole HCl Requip PO Inhibits nerve responses

Selegiline HCl Carbex, Eldepryl PO Increases dopaminergic activity

Tolcapone Tasmar PO Selective inhibitor- slows the metabolism of levodopa, prolonging its effects

Parkinson’s Disease Research

• NINDS is using animal models to study the progression of Parkinson’s.

• NINDS is searching for the cause of Parkinson’s, such as; environmental factors, (i.e. toxins) and genetic factors.

Differences between Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s

• Onset late in life• Neurodegenerative

diseases• Progressive

• Movement disorder

• Loss of dopamine producing neurons

• Memory disorder• Acetylcholine

progressively diminishes overtime

Acetylcholine Dopamine

Acetylcholine

DopamineNormal balance (Average Joe)

Alzheimer’s Disease(Ronald Regan)

Acetylcholine imbalance exhibited in Alzheimer’s Disease

Summary

Parkinson’s disease mainly affects the elderly, but can occur at any age. The main cause results from gradual degeneration of nerve cells in the portion of the midbrain that controls motor skills. Early signs are likely to be barely noticeable, such as: weakness or stiffness of limbs or a trembling of the hands when they are at rest. This disease is more commonly seen in men than in women, and it is not directly life threatening.

References• NINDS Parkinson's Disease Information Page. (n.d.). Parkinson's Disease Information

Page: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Retrieved October 30, 2013, from http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinsons_disease/parkinsons_disease.htm

• Stages of Parkinson's: Stages 1-5 Symptoms. (n.d.). WebMD. Retrieved October 30, 2013, from http://www.webmd.com/parkinsons-disease/guide/parkinsons-stages

• Moini, Jahangir. "Drug Therapy for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Disease." Fundamental Pharmacology for Pharmacy Technicians. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning, 2013. 106-16. Print.

• Parkinson's Disease/Parkinsonism Causes, Age, and More. (n.d.). WebMD. Retrieved October 30, 2013, from http://www.webmd.com/parkinsons-disease/guide/understanding-parkinsons-disease-basics

• Parkinson's Disease Symptoms. (n.d.). The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Retrieved November 1, 2013, from https://www.michaeljfox.org/understanding-parkinsons/living-with-pd/topic.php?symptoms