Parkinson's disease is characterized by deficiency of neurotransmitter.

Combined AIIMS - 2020 (Jodhpur, Bhopal, Patna, Raipur)

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: Combined AIIMS - 2020 (Jodhpur, Bhopal, Patna, Raipur)

Explanation

Parkinson's disease is fundamentally a disorder of the basal ganglia, caused by the progressive loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra.
Dopamine is an inhibitory neurotransmitter essential for coordinating smooth, voluntary movements.
The reduction in striatal dopamine content is directly proportional to the severity of the motor symptoms, such as tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia.
Pharmacologic treatment for Parkinson's aims to restore dopaminergic activity, for instance, by using Levodopa, a precursor to dopamine.

Option B: In Parkinson's, acetylcholine is not deficient. The loss of dopamine's inhibitory effect leads to a relative overactivity of acetylcholine, which contributes to the motor symptoms.
Option C: While serotonin levels can be reduced in Parkinson's patients, this is associated with non-motor symptoms like depression and anxiety, not the primary motor deficits.
Option D: GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS. While the dopamine-GABA pathways are disrupted in Parkinson's, a deficiency of GABA itself is not the root cause. The primary issue is the lack of dopamine to modulate these pathways correctly.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Pathophysiology of Parkinson's Disease helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Understanding that dopamine deficiency is the cause of Parkinson's is crucial for nurses, as the primary treatment involves dopamine replacement therapy (e.g., Levodopa/Carbidopa).
Nurses must monitor patients for the effectiveness of these medications (e.g., improvement in tremors and mobility) and for side effects like the 'on-off' phenomenon or drug-induced dyskinesias.
Patient education is key. Nurses teach patients and families about the importance of medication adherence to maintain dopamine levels and manage symptoms.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'Parkinson's disease' and 'deficiency of neurotransmitter'.
This is a factual recall question testing your knowledge of the pathophysiology of a specific neurological disorder.
Recall the primary mechanism of Parkinson's disease. The disease is most famously associated with the loss of a specific type of neuron.
Mentally review the major neurotransmitters and their primary functions or associated diseases. Dopamine is strongly linked to movement and reward, and its deficiency is the hallmark of Parkinson's.
Evaluate the options. Acetylcholine imbalance is involved, but it's relatively excessive, not deficient. Serotonin and GABA are less central to the core motor symptoms. Select the neurotransmitter that is primarily deficient.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QEU_rFH7tzfYZGNc36bmv9

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