Parkinsons Disease And PD-Related Disorders

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive and degenerative neurological disorder which affects movement. It is characterized by tremors or shaking of the arms and legs, stiff muscles, slow movements, and impaired balance. It can also lead to impaired posture and rigidity, as well as difficulties with communication, cognition, and gait. PD is more common in the elderly, but it can affect people of any age. PD is believed to be caused by the loss of nerve cells (neurons) in the brain which produce a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter which plays a major role in motor control. Without enough dopamine, nerve cells cannot properly communicate with each other and movement becomes increasingly difficult. PD is not the only disease which is related to dopamine deficits in the brain. A number of other neurological disorders can also be linked to dopamine deficits, including restless leg syndrome, atypical Parkinsonism, vascular parkinsonism, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Dementia with Lewy bodies, Multiple System Atrophy, and Corticobasal Degeneration. Management of PD and related disorders typically includes a combination of medications and lifestyle interventions. Medications such as levodopa can increase dopamine levels in the brain and are usually prescribed to help improve motor control and reduce symptoms. Additionally, physical and occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, and nutritional counseling can help with symptom management. Surgery can also be used to treat PD and its related disorders. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a common type of surgery which involves inserting electrodes into the brain to stimulate motor pathways and improve control of movement. Additionally, surgical procedures such as pallidotomy or thalamotomy can be used to reduce tremor intensity or reduce rigidity. Though there is no cure for PD, treatments are available which can improve quality of life and reduce disability. It is important that PD and related disorders are diagnosed early so that appropriate treatments can be started as soon as possible to minimize disability and maximize quality of life.