Question

Concise, short answers only. Long drawn out answers will not be graded even if they contain the correct answer 1. What is the distinction between parkinsonism and Parkinson's Disease? 2. The substantia nigra projects to what general brain regions? 3. Why might pacemaking in substantia nigra neurons facilitate their cell death? 4. What are two pathways that can contribute to substantia nigra (SN) neuron cell death? 5. What enzyme is involved in neutralizing free radicals such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)?

Answer 1

1. Parkinsonism belongs to the neurological disorder which has the same clinical manifestion as that of Parkinson's disease, the causes are often idiopathic, however there could be other neurological disorder related to parkinsonism.

Parkinson's disease is the disease in which there is gradual degeneration of dopamine releasing neurones which leads to uncontrolled or difficulty in coordination of the muscles movements resulting in bradykinesia, rigidity of voluntary muscles, muscle tremor, stupor posture etc.

2. The substantia nigra is located in the midbrain.