You are a drug company executive who have decided that a new drug development strategy for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is to target the ageing process.  Prepare a report to the board of directors to convince them to approve this change in direction. This report should include a discussion on:

A. why you have chosen AD as the neurodegenerative disorder for this campaign (3 marks)

B. the limitations of disease-modifying strategies that are currently in clinical trials for the treatment of AD (3 marks)

C. the scientific evidence behind such a strategy (3 marks)

D. your choice of target for this campaign (3 marks)

Tom is a 16 year old with a history of allergies who has recently visited his GP with symptoms of breathlessness. His spirometry test showed a reduced FEV1 but normal FVC. His doctor diagnoses mild asthma and prescribes a combined long-acting bronchodilator/anti-inflammatory medication (formoterol/budesonide) to be administered by inhalation as needed. 

A. Describe how Tom's spirometry informed his diagnosis, and define FEV1 and how it is measured (3 marks)

B.     Briefly describe the structural changes in Tom’s lungs that would contribute to his decreased FEV1 (4 marks)

C. What would be the benefits for Tom taking an anti-inflammatory medication with a dilator rather than just a dilator alone when he has symptoms of breathlessness?     (5 marks)

TOTAL 12 MARKS

Eliza visits her doctor complaining of breathlessness. The doctor gets her to monitor her PEF (peak expiratory flow) regularly and also refers her to a respiratory function lab for spirometry to measure FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 second) and FVC (full vital capacity) before and after being given a bronchodilator. 

Which of the following would be consistent with a subsequent diagnosis of asthma?

In the brain, an excess amount of extracellular glutamate binds to NMDA receptors following TBI.  This causes a significant influx of which ion that plays a significant role in cell death?

Which of the following are common features in the EARLIER

stages of many neurodegenerative diseases?

The EEG waves recorded during polysomnography are typically divided into specific frequency bands. What is the predominant frequency band observed during vigilant wakefulness, sleep onset/light sleep and deep sleep.

COPD is characterised by:

Where does medulloblastoma typically begin in the brain?

Which of the following most accurately describes the clinical features of Parkinson’s disease?

Which of the following are considered common clinical

consequences of obstructive sleep apnea?