
PARKINSONS DISEASE
01 Jul 2019
ABSTRACT –
Parkinson disease is a disorder of nervous system that affects the body movements, caused by degeneration of nerve cells in substantia nigra, a part of the brain which regulates movement. This condition worsens gradually after a certain period of time. It starts with a noticeable tremor in one hand and then becomes severe when it starts causing stiffness, inflexibility or slowing of movements.
CAUSES –
- Hereditary aspects
- Environmental factors
- Lewy body dementia
- Low dopamine levels
- Low norepinephrine levels
- Autoimmune factors resulting into autoimmune disorders
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS –
- Tremor or shivering
- Bradykinesia: Slow movements
- Stiff muscles
- Stooped posture and problem in balancing
- Lack of habitual movements which includes blinking, smiling or swinging
- Difficulty in speech
- Mood swings
- Constipation
- Improper sleep
- Problem while urination
DIAGNOSIS –
- Single-Photon Emission Computerized Tomography (SPECT)
- Neurologic Examination
- Blood Test
- Imaging Test such as MRI, CT Scans and Ultrasound of the brain
TREATMENT –
- Medications such as Anticholinergics
- Surgery
- Pallidotomy is recommended to aggressive patients, it is performed by inserting a wire probe into globus pallidus.
- Thalamotomy: Radio frequency energy currents are used to destroy a specific small part of the thalamus.
- Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS): An alternative to Pallidotomy and Thalamotomy.
EPIDEMIOLOGY –
- Estimation shows that it affects 1% of the population with the age of 60 years and above.
- Males are more prone to get Parkinson than females, but the risk appears to increase in females with their age.