NRS301 EXAM 4 UPDATED QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS.
Parkinson's is caused due to decreased dopamine release into? - ANS Basal ganglia
How does degeneration of neurons in PD affect the thalamus? - ANS Too much inhibition in
VA/VL of thalamus
Alpha-synuclein is a what protein? - ANS Cytosolic
What two steps of vesicle fusion does alpha-synuclein affect? - ANS Targeting and Priming
Motor symptoms in PD? - ANS Bradykinesia
Imbalance/ rigidity
Difficulty initiating/ stopping movement
Non motor symptoms in PD? - ANS difficulty swallowing
insomnia
anosmia
Normal mitochondrial function: (prior to interaction of its membrane with alpha-synuclein) -
ANS 1. Mitochondrial fission
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,2. Transport of key proteins to mitochondria
3. Stability of mitochondrial membrane
Disrupted mitochondrial function after interaction with alpha synuclein? - ANS 1. Cant
generate enough ATP
2. Interferes with electron transport chain
3. Increase in ROS
Disrupted ER function after interaction with alpha synuclein? - ANS 1. Interferes with
synthesis of proteins and lipids
2. Alters Ca2+ dynamics
Where does protein aggregation and misfolding start in the brain in PD? - ANS Deep brain
structures
brain stem
3 treatments for PD: - ANS 1. L-DOPA: Pre-cursor of dopamine; "on" and "off" treatment
2. Dopamine reuptake transporter (DAT) inhibitor: prevents re-uptake of DA from synapse;
more duration of action of DA
3. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors: prevent breakdown of DA; increase availability of DA to be
recycled in vesicles
What parts of brain does deep brain stimulation therapy for PD affect? - ANS 1. Subthalamic
nuclei: restore inhibitory sound
2.. of the VA/VL of thalamus: initiate wanted movement
Longest stage of AD: - ANS Moderate dementia due to AD
Preclinical AD symptoms: - ANS 1. noticeable changes in brain structures
2. appearance of biomarkers
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, Earliest signs of AD even before MCI: - ANS Anosmia
Contribution of Ach? - ANS 1. Learning and memory
2. Mood
3. Sleep-wake cycles
4. motivation
How does excitatory neurotransmitter act? - ANS 1. Muscarinic receptors: GPCR; M1
2. Nicotinic receptors: Ion channels
What ions pass through the cell in nicotinic receptors of excitatory neurotransmitters? -
ANS Na+, K+, Ca2+
Loss of Ach in AD caused LTD. What are the two things that happen during LTD? - ANS 1.
shrinking of spines
2. loss of synapses
Between A-Beta and Tau, which is extracellular and which is intracellular? - ANS A-Beta:
Extracellular
Tau: Intracellular (microtubules so intracellular)
Why does tau misfold? - ANS Due to hyperphosphorylation
Tau is originally found in what part of neuron? - ANS Axons
After AD, tau seems to be found in what part of neuron? - ANS Dendrites and soma
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
AND CORRECT ANSWERS.
Parkinson's is caused due to decreased dopamine release into? - ANS Basal ganglia
How does degeneration of neurons in PD affect the thalamus? - ANS Too much inhibition in
VA/VL of thalamus
Alpha-synuclein is a what protein? - ANS Cytosolic
What two steps of vesicle fusion does alpha-synuclein affect? - ANS Targeting and Priming
Motor symptoms in PD? - ANS Bradykinesia
Imbalance/ rigidity
Difficulty initiating/ stopping movement
Non motor symptoms in PD? - ANS difficulty swallowing
insomnia
anosmia
Normal mitochondrial function: (prior to interaction of its membrane with alpha-synuclein) -
ANS 1. Mitochondrial fission
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
,2. Transport of key proteins to mitochondria
3. Stability of mitochondrial membrane
Disrupted mitochondrial function after interaction with alpha synuclein? - ANS 1. Cant
generate enough ATP
2. Interferes with electron transport chain
3. Increase in ROS
Disrupted ER function after interaction with alpha synuclein? - ANS 1. Interferes with
synthesis of proteins and lipids
2. Alters Ca2+ dynamics
Where does protein aggregation and misfolding start in the brain in PD? - ANS Deep brain
structures
brain stem
3 treatments for PD: - ANS 1. L-DOPA: Pre-cursor of dopamine; "on" and "off" treatment
2. Dopamine reuptake transporter (DAT) inhibitor: prevents re-uptake of DA from synapse;
more duration of action of DA
3. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors: prevent breakdown of DA; increase availability of DA to be
recycled in vesicles
What parts of brain does deep brain stimulation therapy for PD affect? - ANS 1. Subthalamic
nuclei: restore inhibitory sound
2.. of the VA/VL of thalamus: initiate wanted movement
Longest stage of AD: - ANS Moderate dementia due to AD
Preclinical AD symptoms: - ANS 1. noticeable changes in brain structures
2. appearance of biomarkers
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
, Earliest signs of AD even before MCI: - ANS Anosmia
Contribution of Ach? - ANS 1. Learning and memory
2. Mood
3. Sleep-wake cycles
4. motivation
How does excitatory neurotransmitter act? - ANS 1. Muscarinic receptors: GPCR; M1
2. Nicotinic receptors: Ion channels
What ions pass through the cell in nicotinic receptors of excitatory neurotransmitters? -
ANS Na+, K+, Ca2+
Loss of Ach in AD caused LTD. What are the two things that happen during LTD? - ANS 1.
shrinking of spines
2. loss of synapses
Between A-Beta and Tau, which is extracellular and which is intracellular? - ANS A-Beta:
Extracellular
Tau: Intracellular (microtubules so intracellular)
Why does tau misfold? - ANS Due to hyperphosphorylation
Tau is originally found in what part of neuron? - ANS Axons
After AD, tau seems to be found in what part of neuron? - ANS Dendrites and soma
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
