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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.