Parkinson's Disease

Overview

Parkinson's disease is a condition where the dopamine producing nerve cells been affected. This can lead to several symptoms which affect person's well being and worsens over time. Some of symptoms are muscle rigidity, tremors, changes in speech and gait.

Signs and Symptoms

Slowness in the initiation of voluntary movements, Decreased facial expression, Monotonous speech, Decreased eye blinking, Shuffling gait, Stooped posture, Unsteady balance, Continuous "pill-rolling" motion of the thumb and forefinger, Abnormal tone or stiffness in the trunk and extremities, Swallowing problems in later stages, Light-headedness or fainting when standing (orthostatic hypotension)

Common Causes

Genetic factors, Environmental factors, The presence of Lewy bodies, Alpha-synuclein is found within Lewy bodies

Risk Factors

Age, Heredity, Sex, Exposure to toxins, Head injury

Investigation Techniques

MRI brain, Functional neuroimaging (dopamine transporter imaging such as FP-CIT or beta-CIT SPECT, or fluorodopa PET), Olfactory testing, Genetic testing, Dopaminergic agent trial

Treatment and Prevention

Carbidopa-levodopa, Carbidopa-levodopa infusion, Dopamine agonists, MAO B inhibitors, Catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors, Anticholinergics, Amantadine,Deep brain stimulation