Question

Explain the symptoms associated with extrapyramidal symptoms of antipsychotic drugs. Explain the rationale for free periods with antipsychotic medication at high risk for EPS symptoms.

Identify the most common degenerative diseases of the central nervous system. Contrast and compare the five most common degenerative CNS diseases according to risk populations, signs and symptoms, and current therapies.

Explain the major characteristics of abuse, dependence, tolerance, and approaches for treatment in the following drug classes: alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, hallucinogens, CNS stimulants, sedatives, and opioids.   Contrast and compare drug abuse, drug dependence, and drug tolerance.

Answer 1

Answer :

Degerative disorder :

Degenerative disorder is the result of a continuous process based on degenarative cell changes ,affecting tissues or organs ,which will increasingly deteriorate over time ,whether due to normal bodily wear or lifestyle choices such as exercises or eating habits .

Common degenerative diseases :

• Parkinsons disease
• Alzheimer's disease.
• Huntington's disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Dementia
• Delirium

Parkinson's disease : it is a prograssive disease of the nervous system marked by tremor ,muscular rigidity and slow ,imprecise movement ,chiefly affecting middle aged and elderly people .

It is associated with degeneration of basal ganglia of the brain and a deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine

Signs and symptoms :

1. Parkinsons disease is a .ovement disorder that progresses slowly .some people will firstvnotice a sense of weakness ,difficulty walking and stiff muscles .
2. Some people may notice a tremor of the head or hands
3. Parkinson's is a progressive disorder and the symptoms gradually worsen .
4. General symptoms include slowness of voluntary movement, especially in the initiation of such movement as walking or rolling over in bed.
5. Decreased facial expression, monotonous speech and decreased eye blinking .
6. Unsteady balance : difficulty rising from a sitting position .
7. Abnormal tone or stiffness in the trunk and extrenities
8. Swallowing problems in later stages .
9. Light headedness or fainting when standing .

Treatment :

• Parkinson's disease can't be cured ,but medications can help control your symptoms ,often dramatically in some later cases , surgery may be advised.
• Mefications may help you manage problems with walking ,movement and tremor .
• These medications increase or decrease or substitute For dopamine
• Medications : carbidopa ,levodopa , dopamine agonists , MAO -B inhibitors, amantadine , anticholinergics etc.

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE:

alzheimers disease is a neurological disorder in which the death of brain cell causes memory lodd and cognitive decline

A neurodegenerative type of dementia ,the disease starts mild and gets progressively worse .

Signs and symptoms :

1. Forgetfulness
2. Confusion
3. Memory loss
4. Not recognising family members or close relatives
5. Coordination problems
6. Miid swings
7. Sleep disturbances
8. Changes in mood and behaviour .

Treatment :

• Alzheimers disease is complex and it is unlikely that any one drug or other intervention can successfully treatment it .
• Cholinergic inhibitors
• Memantine
• Omega 3 fatty acids
• Curcumin
• Vitamin E
• Ginko

HUNTINGTON'S DISEASE :

huntington's disease is an inherited condition that damages certain nerves cell in the brain.

This brain damage gets progressively worse over homeostasis and can affect movement ,cognition , perception, awareness ,thinking , judgent and behaviour

Symptoms : (physical)

• Forms of nervous activity like fidging ,minor twitching in fingers and toes .
• Excessive restlessness
• Some clumsiness
• Slight alterations in handwriting
• Minor difficulty with normal daily physical skills like driving .
• Emotional symptoms : short term memory , less ability to organise routine tasks or to cope with new situations , periods of depression ,apathy and irritability and impulsiveness

Treatment :

• There is no cure For huntington's disease and its progress cant be reversed or slowed down .
• Therapies such as language ,behaviour ,occupational therapies help the patient day to day living.

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS :

multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable ,often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain and between brain and body .

Symptoms :

• Damage to myelene coating
• Pain
• Fatigue
• Impaired co ordination
• Tremors
• Blurred vision.
• Mood swings
• Depression ,head ache
• Sleep deprivation
• Weakness etc .

Treatment :

• There is no cure For multiple sclerosis
• Treatment focuses on speeding recovery from attacks
• Corticosteroids
• Plasma exchange

Major characteristics :

• Failure to fulfill major roles obligation at work , school ,or home
• Social and interpersonal conflicts
• Prolonged sleep
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Drowsiness