Molecular Mechanisms of Disease Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What percentage of synapse density loss is typically observed in patients with Alzheimer's Disease (AD)?

  • 20%
  • 80%
  • 60%
  • 40% (correct)

    • Which cognitive assessment is mentioned as a widely used test of cognitive function in relation to AD?

  • Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) (correct)
  • Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
  • Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)
  • Cognitive Assessment Screening System (CASS)

    • What is the projected number of Canadians living with dementia in 15 years?

  • 564,000
  • 1.1 million
  • 937,000 (correct)
  • 1.5 million

    • Which brain structures are primarily associated with early synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease?

    <p>Hippocampus and entorhinal cortex</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the estimated annual cost to Canadians for caring for those living with dementia?

    <p>$10.4 billion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What describes the typical progression of Alzheimer's Disease in relation to daily living activities?

    <p>Patients often require care within a decade</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the average global population affected by Alzheimer's Disease?

    <p>30 million</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements is true regarding mild cognitive impairment in AD?

    <p>It is likely caused by synaptic dysfunction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does synaptic density play in cognitive function decline in Alzheimer's Disease?

    <p>Lower synaptic density correlates with worse cognitive performance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the projected number of Canadians directly or indirectly affected by Alzheimer's Disease?

    <p>1.1 million</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements best describes the cause of certain neurological impairments in neurodegenerative conditions?

    <p>They may arise from neuronal dysfunction rather than loss.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What impact do neurodegenerative disorders have on neural activity?

    <p>They disrupt molecular pathways and local circuits.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major focus for therapeutic interventions in neurological diseases?

    <p>Targeting neuronal function.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What observation about Alzheimer's Disease patients is noted in comparison to control subjects?

    <p>They display major synaptic loss.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of diseases are included under neurodegenerative disorders in the lecture outline?

    <p>Multiple forms including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best represents the cyclical nature of network activity in neurodegenerative disorders?

    <p>Abnormal network activities may worsen neural integrity and function.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which local circuit condition is associated with neurodegenerative disorders?

    <p>Dysregulated excitation or inhibition.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is implied about fluctuations in neurological functions?

    <p>They may not be linked to changes in neuronal number.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following disorders is classified under trinucleotide repeat diseases?

    <p>Huntington's Disease.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which neurological disease is associated with fluctuating cognitive abilities and challenging day-to-day recognition?

    <p>Alzheimer’s Disease</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of disorders does Huntington's Disease belong to?

    <p>Trinucleotide Repeat Diseases</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which condition is characterized by abnormal repetitions of specific nucleotide sequences in the DNA?

    <p>Fragile X Syndrome</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What neurological disease notably affects motor control and is often linked with tremors?

    <p>Parkinson’s Disease</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following diseases is not typically classified as a channelopathy?

    <p>Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which disorder is primarily linked with challenges in communication and social interaction?

    <p>Autism Spectrum Disorders</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What mechanism is primarily involved in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis?

    <p>Neuronal cell death</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these diseases is specifically categorized under 'Channelopathies'?

    <p>Myotonia Congenita</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which disease is characterized by repetitive elements in the DNA influencing disease severity?

    <p>Huntington's Disease</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the symptoms of fluctuating cognitive functions in patients?

    <p>Intermittent abilities leading to variable performance</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of synapse density is typically lost in patients with Alzheimer's Disease?

    <p>40%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following cognitive tests is correlated with synaptic density loss in Alzheimer's Disease?

    <p>Mini-Mental State Exam</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the current annual cost to Canadians for caring for those living with dementia?

    <p>$10.4 billion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant early symptom of Alzheimer's Disease often linked to brain structures?

    <p>Mild cognitive impairment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many Canadians are projected to live with dementia in 15 years?

    <p>937,000</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which brain structures are primarily affected by early synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease?

    <p>Hippocampus and entorhinal cortex</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What describes the overall trajectory of Alzheimer's Disease in patients?

    <p>Progressive loss of memory and decline of cognitive functions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many people worldwide are currently living with Alzheimer's Disease?

    <p>30 million</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement best explains the relationship between synaptic loss and cognitive performance in Alzheimer's Disease?

    <p>Synaptic loss is the major correlate of cognitive decline.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the expected number of Canadians affected directly or indirectly by Alzheimer's Disease?

    <p>1.1 million</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which neurological disease is associated with significant fluctuations in patients' cognitive states throughout a single day?

    <p>Alzheimer’s Disease</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of mechanism is primarily responsible for cognitive impairments observed in neurodegenerative diseases?

    <p>Synaptic dysfunction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic symptom is typically observed in patients suffering from Alzheimer's Disease?

    <p>Persistent confusion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which disorder listed is classified as a trinucleotide repeat disease?

    <p>Huntington's Disease</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of fluctuating cognitive abilities, what behavior might be observed in an Alzheimer's patient?

    <p>Intermittent recognition of caregivers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following conditions is known to decline in cognitive function and might have caregivers describing wide fluctuations in patient performance?

    <p>Alzheimer’s Disease</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement best reflects the experience of caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s Disease?

    <p>Caregivers experience wide variations in patient capabilities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which neurological condition is primarily characterized by cognitive impairments and is not primarily classified under channelopathies?

    <p>Alzheimer’s Disease</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Among the following, which condition involves challenges with social interactions, but is distinct from Alzheimer’s Disease?

    <p>Fragile X Syndrome</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following causal pathways is less likely to be a focus in addressing neurological disease mechanisms?

    <p>Drugs for neurotransmitter depletion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary cause of some neurological impairments associated with neurodegenerative conditions?

    <p>Neuronal dysfunction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements accurately reflects the impact of neurodegenerative disorders on neural activity?

    <p>They can disrupt molecular pathways and higher-order neural networks.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What might be a consequence of abnormal network activities in neurodegenerative disorders?

    <p>Further impairment of neurons and synapses</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the effects of neurodegenerative disorders on synaptic networks?

    <p>They can lead to both synaptic dysfunction and loss.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant characteristic of Alzheimer's Disease related to synaptic integrity?

    <p>Major synaptic loss in specific brain regions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these disorders is a type of trinucleotide repeat disease?

    <p>Huntington's Disease</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which condition is characterized by a decline in cognitive abilities that fluctuate unpredictably?

    <p>Alzheimer's Disease</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of condition does Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis primarily influence?

    <p>Neuronal connections to muscles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which option is NOT typically associated with channelopathies?

    <p>Insulin sensitivity issues</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What therapeutic focus is highlighted in treating neurological diseases as per recent research?

    <p>Repairing functional neuronal networks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of neuronal activity does neurodegenerative disorders primarily disrupt?

    <p>Molecular pathways and synapses</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which phenomenon may exacerbate neurological impairments in neurodegenerative conditions?

    <p>Abnormal network activities</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best characterizes the relationship between neuronal function and neurodegenerative disorders?

    <p>Neuronal dysfunction is a primary target for therapeutic intervention.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common misconception about the causes of neurological impairments in neurodegenerative conditions?

    <p>They are predominantly due to neuronal loss.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following conditions does NOT mainly relate to neurodegenerative disorders?

    <p>Autism Spectrum Disorders</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term is associated with the decline in synaptic health observed in patients with Alzheimer's Disease?

    <p>Synaptic density loss</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines the term 'channelopathies' in the context of neurological diseases?

    <p>Diseases caused by ion channel dysfunction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best illustrates gradual neurological decline?

    <p>Consistent decline in cognitive abilities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential consequence of neuronal dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases?

    <p>Vicious cycle of impaired neural integrity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about synaptic health and Alzheimer’s Disease is accurate?

    <p>Patients experience significant synaptic loss in affected brain regions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What condition is associated with abnormal repetitions of specific nucleotide sequences in the DNA?

    <p>Fragile X Syndrome</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What description best represents caregiver observations of patients with fluctuating cognitive abilities?

    <p>Patients often alternate between confusion and lucidity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which disease is particularly classified under the category of Channelopathies?

    <p>Epilepsy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of neurodegenerative diseases, what primary mechanism is often implicated in cognitive impairments?

    <p>Decreased neurotransmitter release</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which neurological disorder is classified as a trinucleotide repeat disease characterized by motor control issues?

    <p>Huntington's Disease</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What symptom is commonly attributed to patients suffering from Parkinson’s Disease?

    <p>Severe tremors and rigidity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which disorder is specifically noted for challenges in communication and social interaction?

    <p>Autism Spectrum Disorders</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which condition is primarily associated with amyloid-beta protein accumulation in the brain?

    <p>Alzheimer’s Disease</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What mechanism is often a therapeutic target in treating neurodegenerative diseases?

    <p>Altering neurotransmitter receptor interactions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic is commonly observed in ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)?

    <p>Progressive loss of motor function</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary cause of mild cognitive impairment in the early stages of Alzheimer's Disease?

    <p>Early synaptic dysfunction in memory-related brain structures</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statistics reflects the projected growth of dementia cases in Canada over the next 15 years?

    <p>937,000 Canadians will be living with dementia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which cognitive test is most closely correlated with synaptic density loss in patients with Alzheimer's Disease?

    <p>Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of Alzheimer's Disease is most closely associated with synapse density loss in cognitive function?

    <p>Progressive cognitive decline</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What annual financial burden does caring for Canadians living with dementia impose?

    <p>$10.4 billion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to research, what is the average percentage of synapse density loss observed in patients with Alzheimer's Disease?

    <p>40%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Alzheimer's Disease progression typically impact daily living activities?

    <p>Patients gradually lose the ability to perform daily activities</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best characterizes the cognitive impairments seen in Alzheimer's Disease?

    <p>Slow and progressive cognitive decline</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the estimated global prevalence of individuals currently living with Alzheimer's Disease?

    <p>30 million</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In Alzheimer's Disease, which regions of the brain are primarily affected by early synaptic dysfunction?

    <p>Hippocampus and entorhinal cortex</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Molecular Mechanisms of Disease

    • Course Title: Molecular Mechanisms of Disease
    • Course Code: NROC36H3F
    • Lecturer: Arruda Carvalho UTSC
    • Date: 2024-11-27

    Lecture Outline (Framework)

    • Alzheimer's Disease
    • Parkinson's Disease
    • Channelopathies
    • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
    • Trinucleotide Repeat Diseases
      • Huntington's Disease
      • Fragile X Syndrome
      • Autism Spectrum Disorders

    Functional Fluctuations in Neurological Disease and Underlying Mechanisms

    • Caregiver accounts of patient's best and worst performances (in the same day) can show inconsistency.
    • Neuronal number changes are unlikely to explain these rapid, reversible function variations.
    • Neurological conditions' impairments can be due to neuronal dysfunction, not necessarily cell loss.

    Neurodegenerative Disorders Affect Neural Activity at Multiple Levels

    • Neurodegenerative conditions can disrupt molecular pathways, synapses, neuronal subpopulations, local circuits and higher-order neural networks.
    • Disruptive network activity can be a vicious cycle further impacting neuronal integrity.

    Mechanisms of Neuronal Dysfunction in AD Models

    • Activity-regulated gene expression - immediate-early genes like Fos and activity-regulated cytoskeletal protein.
    • Cell-surface receptors - integrins, cell adhesion molecules, metabotropic glutamate receptors, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, NMDA receptors.
    • Neurotransmitter release - synaptic vesicle cycling, exocytosis.
    • Signalling cascades - kinase pathways (mitogen-activated protein kinase superfamily, cyclin-dependent kinase 5, tyrosine kinases), phosphatases (calcineurin, striatal-enriched phosphatase), scaffolding molecules at the postsynaptic density.
    • Synaptic integrity - presynaptic terminals, postsynaptic dendritic spines.
    • Synaptic transmission and plasticity - basal synaptic transmission, long-term potentiation, paired-pulse modification.

    Neuronal Function as a Major Therapeutic Target in Neurological Disease

    • Disease Progression: shows a general decline in function.
    • Functional Fluctuations: fluctuations exist during progression.

    Alzheimer's Disease: Numbers

    • 30 million worldwide with AD.
    • 564,000 Canadians currently living with dementia.
    • 937,000 Canadians predicted to live with dementia in 15 years.
    • 1.1 million Canadians directly/indirectly affected by dementia.
    • $10.4 billion annual cost to Canadians.

    Alzheimer's Disease: Symptoms and Etiology

    • Mild cognitive impairment initially, possibly from early synaptic dysfunction (hippocampus & entorhinal cortex).
    • Progressive memory and cognitive decline.
    • Typically, within a decade or so, patients become unable to perform daily tasks and are reliant on others.
    • Genetic component in a small proportion of cases (<5%).
    • Etiology is largely unknown, but likely includes genetic and environmental factors.

    Alzheimer's Disease: Plaques and Tangles

    • Amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles consist of amyloid fibrils, with APP and tau as components.
    • Amyloid plaques form from APP cleavage by β- and γ-secretase.
    • Neurofibrillary tangles arise from tau protein misfolding.
    • Tau and amyloid fibrils share similar tertiary protein structures.

    Parkinson's Disease

    • Second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's Disease.
    • Average age of onset is 64.4 years with diagnosis 1.9 years later (at 66.2).
    • Affects 1 in every 500 Canadians, with over 100,000 currently living with it.
    • Around 6,600 new cases diagnosed in Canada annually.

    Parkinson's Disease: Symptomatology

    • Tremor: Involuntary, 4-6Hz rhythmic movement, prevalent during rest and in emotional situations, can improve with purposeful movements.
    • Rigidity: Increased resistance to limb movement.
    • Bradykinesia: Slowness of movement, difficulty initiating movement.
    • Postural instability: Difficulty maintaining balance, often when disturbed.

    Parkinson's Disease: A Long Journey

    • Detailed timeline of Parkinson's Disease research spanning different years and discoveries.

    Parkinson's Disease: Mechanisms

    • Progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra leading to motor defects.
    • Lewy bodies are cytoplasmic protein-rich inclusions (mostly α-synuclein).

    Parkinson's Disease: Mechanisms

    • Misfolded α-synuclein potentially spreads from cell to cell, leading to disease progression.
    • Proteins such as ubiquitin and Hsp70 are associated with Lewy bodies, but their precise role is unclear.

    MPTP and Parkinson's Disease

    • MPTP is a toxin that selectively destroys dopaminergic neurons and can cause Parkinsonism.
    • Mitochondrial dysfunction, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) elevation, and defects in protein clearing are implicated mechanisms.

    Parkinson's Disease: Molecular Mechanisms

    • Deficiencies in protein quality control, mitochondrial respiration, and/or proteasomal and lysosomal pathways.
    • Increased Reactive Oxygen Species affect cellular energy pathways, possibly leading to cell-to-cell transmission by misfolded α-synuclein.

    Parkinson's Disease: Circuit Mechanisms

    • Direct and indirect pathways are involved; direct pathway is excitory, indirect is inhibitory.
    • Substantia nigra pars compacta are affected leading to dopamine loss.

    Parkinson's Disease: Plasticity Mechanisms

    • Long-term depression (LTD) is impaired in the indirect pathway in Parkinson's Disease animal models.

    Channelopathies

    • Inherited disorders of ion channel function.
    • Affect diverse neurological areas: epilepsy, movement disorders, headache, peripheral nerve, pain, and myology
    • Common feature: discrete attacks or episodes, function is normal between episodes.

    Epilepsy

    • Ion channel mutations cause focal and generalized seizures ranging from neonatal convulsions to severe encephalopathies.
    • Genetic factors play a role but are not the sole determinant in many cases, while some are not fully inheritable.
    • GABA receptors and their internalization is affected by seizures; reduced GABA receptors could potentially lead to increased activity.

    Trinucleotide Repeat Diseases (TRDs)

    • Genetic disorders characterized by expansion of unstable trinucleotide repeats.
    • Repeat instability during DNA replication leads to insertions and deletions.

    Huntington's Disease

    • Autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease due to abnormal expansion of CAG repeats in huntingtin.
    • Affects about 5 to 10 per 100,000 individuals, causing motor and cognitive impairments, behavioral and psychiatric disturbances.

    Huntington's Disease: Mechanisms

    • Mutant huntingtin interferes with:
      • Transcriptional regulation
      • Protein degradation.
      • Protein folding
      • Neuronal circuitry
      • Mitochondrial dysfunction.

    Huntington's Disease: Synaptic Mechanisms

    • Mutant huntingtin decreases corticostriatal BDNF release and transport, affecting neurotransmitter release.

    Huntington's Disease: Excitotoxicity

    • Loss of striatal medium-sized spiny neurons, and reduction in glutamate transporter expression, leading to glutamate accumulation.
    • High glutamate levels, oxidative stress through ROS, and cellular damage are consequences.

    Fragile X Syndrome

    • Caused by abnormal expansion of a CGG trinucleotide repeat in the FMR1 gene on X chromosome.
    • Affecting cognitive function, social interaction skills, and frequently associated with autism spectrum disorder.

    Fragile X Syndrome: Mechanisms

    • The abnormal CGG repeat expansion in the FMR1 gene results in the loss of transcription leading to an epigenetic modification, silencing the gene, causing a fragile X-chromosome.

    Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

    • A complex set of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by early-onset difficulties in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors or interests.

    • Prevalence worldwide is about 1% of total population.

    • Genetic factors and early environmental influences are key etiological aspects.

    • Additional information regarding proteins, their interactions, and their binding partners in ASDs and their relation to synaptic mechanisms is included.

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    Molecular Mechanisms of Disease PDF Lecture Outline 2024-11-27

    Description

    Test your knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underlying various neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease. This quiz will cover key concepts and functional fluctuations in these disorders, emphasizing neuronal dysfunction rather than cell loss.

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