Overview
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by parkinsonism and a range of motor and non-motor manifestations.
The major motor features involve abnormalities of movement, including bradykinesia, rigidity, and resting tremor.
Bradykinesia is a core feature of parkinsonism.
Clinical Features
Motor manifestations may include bradykinesia, rigidity, resting tremor, postural instability, and changes in gait.
Non-motor manifestations may include constipation, sleep disturbance, autonomic dysfunction, mood symptoms, and cognitive impairment.
Management
Management includes pharmacological therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and treatment of non-motor complications.
Pharmacological treatment is individualized according to symptom burden, age, disease stage, adverse effects, and patient goals.
Management of Parkinson's disease extends beyond motor symptoms.
Clinical Pearls
When thinking about parkinsonism, anchor on bradykinesia and then assess for rigidity, resting tremor, gait disturbance, and associated non-motor features.
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