Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's diseaseParkinson's disease
  • Facts:
    Progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in basal ganglia (substantia nigra)

    Characterized by overactivity of cholinergic neurons, and under activity of dopamine neurons
  • History / PE:
    Resting (pill-rolling) tremor
    Rigidity, bradykinesia
    Hypokinetic, shuffling gait (narrow-based, NO arm swinging)
    Postural instability
  • Diagnosis:
    Clinical diagnosis
    Lewy bodies (intraneuronal eosinophilic inclusions)
  • Treatment:
    L-dopa (greater risk of dyskinesia )
    Trihexyphenidyl (anticholiinergic medication that is used in younger patients with resting tremor as primary complaint)
  • See Also:
    Dopamine pathways
    Dementia diseases
  • Associated With:
    Seborrheic dermatitis
  • Differential Diagnosis:
    Lewy body dementia (visual hallucinations)
    Normal pressure hydrocephalus (wide-based gait)



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August 5th 2010