Parkinson's Disease (PD)

Parkinson's Disease

Introduction

Parkinson's disease was first described in 1817 by James Parkinson, in "An Essay on the Shaking Palsy." Clinically, it is characterized by bradykinesia, tremor at rest, and muscle rigidity, as well as a host of other motor and nonmotor signs (see table below).

Signs and Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease

*Motor*	*Sensory*	*Cognitive*	*Autonomic*
Slowness	Numbness	Mood changes	Hot/Cold sensation
Tremor	Aching	Depression	Bladder problems
Stiffness	Restlessness	Anxiety	Sweating
Postural instability	Pain	Panic attacks	Abdominal discomfort
Stooped, shuffling gait	Chest discomfort	Tiredness	Constipation
Decreased arm swing when walking	Anosmia	Confusion	Sialorrhea
Lower extr. cramps		Slowed thinking	Urinary frequency/urgency
Weakness			Erectile Dysfunction
Hypophonia
Swallowing difficulty
Reduced dexterity
Freezing
Masked facies
Micrographia

Onset is typically during the sixth or seventh decade, with a slowly progressive course. Pathologically, the motor signs are due to gradual loss of dopaminergic cells, primarily in the substantia nigra, but neurons throughout the brain are affected, both dopaminergic and nondopaminergic. While no treatments have yet been shown conclusively to slow the progression of the disease, a large number of symptomatic pharmacologic therapies are available, as well as several forms of surgery and numerous nonpharmacological approaches.

Please see the following topics related to Parkinson's disease below, and available on the left side of this page.


Parkinson's Disease Slide Set	Parkinson's Disease Rating Scales	Parkinson's Disease Patient Fact Sheets	Anatomical Illustrations

WE MOVE makes every effort to present medical information that is up-to-date and accurate. The material provided has under gone rigorous medical review. Medical science is constantly changing. Therefore, WE MOVE does not warrant that the information in this text is complete. WE MOVE is not responsible for omissions or errors in the text or for the results of the use of this information. This information does not replace consultation with a physician.

Writer: Richard Robinson, NASW
Medical Editor: Joy B. Leffler, NASW, AMIA
Medical Reviewer: Ray Watts, MD