PARKINSON’S DISEASE AND MOTOR SIGNS
- Akinetic-rigid movement disorders area type of movement disorder characterized by too little movement.
- Also called “Parkinsonian” movements, or described as “Parkinsonism”
- Slow, shaky, rigid movements
Causes of Parkinsonism
- Parkinson’s disease
- Some nausea medications / psychiatric medications
- Parkinson’s plus syndrome (similar to Parkinson’s disease with additional neurologic features)
Causes of Parkinson’s Disease
- Parkinson’s is idiopathic, meaning that its cause is unknown.
- Neurons which produce the neurotransmitter dopamine begin to fail
- Dopamine is the ‘oil’ which makes movements fluid
DIAGNOSING PARKINSON'S DISEASE
- DaT scan
- Radiology test which includes injecting a medication then conducting a scan
- Skin biopsy
- In-office procedure which includes obtaining tissue samples for evaluation by a lab and is greater than 95% accurate
Cardinal motor features of Parkinson’s Disease
- Resting tremor
- Bradykinesia
- Slow movement
- Natural movement becomes slower and choppier
- Cogwheel rigidity
- Extremities become resistant to movement
- Poor balance
- Typically a later sign