Neurology

Parkinson's disease

A progressive neurodegenerative disorder causing bradykinesia with rigidity or tremor, usually asymmetrically at onset, with treatment focused on individualised motor control, non-motor symptoms, rehabilitation, safe medicines and future planning.

Definition

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterised clinically by bradykinesia with rigidity or rest tremor, usually with asymmetric onset, and by a variable range of non-motor symptoms.

First principles

Bradykinesia is the clinical gateway to parkinsonism

Parkinsonism is defined clinically by bradykinesia with either rigidity or rest tremor. Bradykinesia means slowness with decrement or loss of amplitude during repetitive movement, not simply general frailty or weakness. The diagnosis of Parkinson's disease is clinical and depends on the pattern, progression and absence of stronger evidence for an alternative parkinsonian syndrome.

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