Parkinson's disease is caused by deficiency of which of the following neurotransmitter?

RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2018

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2018

Explanation

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra region of the brain.
This loss results in a significant deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is crucial for controlling movement and coordination.
The imbalance between low dopamine (inhibitory) and relatively high acetylcholine (excitatory) in the basal ganglia leads to the classic motor symptoms of the disease: tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia.

Option A: Acetylcholine is not deficient in Parkinson's disease; instead, there is a relative excess due to the lack of dopamine's opposing effect, which contributes to symptoms like tremor.
Option B: While serotonin levels can be affected and contribute to non-motor symptoms like depression, it is not the primary neurotransmitter deficiency that causes the core motor symptoms of Parkinson's.
Option D: Epinephrine (adrenaline) is primarily involved in the 'fight-or-flight' response and is not the key neurotransmitter responsible for the motor deficits seen in Parkinson's disease.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Pathophysiology of Parkinson's Disease and Neurotransmitter Involvement helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Understanding that dopamine deficiency is the cause is fundamental to nursing care, especially regarding medication management. Administering dopaminergic drugs like Levodopa on a strict schedule is critical to manage symptoms and prevent 'off' periods.
Nurses must educate patients about dietary protein, which can interfere with Levodopa absorption, and advise them to take the medication 30-60 minutes before meals.
Monitoring for side effects of dopamine replacement therapy, such as orthostatic hypotension and dyskinesias (involuntary movements), is a key nursing responsibility to ensure patient safety.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is the specific cause of Parkinson's disease.
The keywords are 'Parkinson's disease', 'deficiency', and 'neurotransmitter'.
Recall the primary pathophysiology of major neurological disorders. Parkinson's is the classic example of a dopamine-deficiency state.
Evaluate each option: Acetylcholine is related but in relative excess, not deficient. Serotonin and Epinephrine are not the primary drivers of the motor symptoms.
This process of elimination confirms that Dopamine is the only correct choice.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Pathophysiology of Parkinson's Disease and Neurotransmitter Involvement
Stem keywords: Parkinson's disease, deficiency, neurotransmitter
Lead-in keywords: caused by
Negative lead-in flag: false

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E6 Pathology- ROBBINS & COTRAN PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASE 10TH Ed p. 1280-1282