Parkinson's Disease and Motor Signs

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