Parkinson's Disease Information

What is Parkinson's Disease?

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a brain disorder associated with a loss of dopamine nerve cells in a brain region called the basal ganglia. The basal ganglia consist of a network of nuclei or nerve circuits involved in motor control. The figure, below, of the brain illustrates key regions of the basal ganglia. Dopamine nerve cells are located in the substantia nigra. This nucleus, in turn, projects to other regions within the motor circuit including the caudate nucleus, putamen, thalamus and subthalamic nuclei. One of the primary tasks for these nerve cells is the planning, initiation, and control of movement.

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Motor Symptoms

Motor symptoms of PD emerge as these nerve cells degenerate. In fact it is estimated that between 60 to 70% of dopamine nerve cells are lost before the initial motor symptoms are noticed.

Motor symptoms typically begin on one side of the body and over time ‘spread’ to the other side. These include:

  • Rest Tremor
  • Bradykinesia
  • Postural Disturbance
  • Rigidity

Non-Motor Symptoms

Non-motor symptoms are listed below. These symptoms can precede the earliest motor symptoms:

  • Loss of Smell
  • Depression or Anxiety
  • Constipation
  • RLS
  • REM Sleep Disorder
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These occur after diagnosis throughout the disease:

  • Cognitive symptoms - executive dysfunction
  • Behavioral Symptoms - depression, anxiety, apathy
  • Pain - Restless Leg Syndrome, burning sensation, spasm
  • Autonomic dysfunction - constipation, bladder control problems, low blood pressure, temperature dysregulation and sexual dysfunction
  • Sleep - REM Sleep Disorder, poor sleep, sleep apnea

Parkinson’s medications can also worsen non-motor symptoms:

  • Confusion and visual hallucinations
  • Sedation
  • Impulsivity Control
  • Lightheadedness due to low blood pressure
  • Nausea
  • Leg Swelling