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