Parkinson’s Disease

It is classified as a movement disorder, although it also usually presents cognitive symptoms.

Parkinson’s is due to the gradual death of neurons in a part of the brain called substantia nigra and more specifically, in a portion of this nucleus called the compact part. This causes a decrease in the synthesis of dopamine, which causes a dysfunction in the regulation of the main brain structures involved in the control of movement.

Its main symptoms are:

• Generalized clumsiness with slowness in performing movements.
• Scarcity of spontaneous motility.
• Resting tremor.
• Muscle stiffness.
• Alteration of rebalancing reflexes (resulting in falls).
• Exaggerated production of saliva or sialorrhea.
• Hypotonia or loss of muscle mass.
• Alteration of fine motor skills.
• Speech disorders.

Apart from motor symptoms, emotional symptoms such as anxiety, depression and apathy are frequently associated with the onset of cognitive impairment, with memory, attention or processing speed being affected, among other functions. Sleep disorders, constipation, dermatitis, sexual dysfunction, etc. may also appear.

There is currently no drug that cures Parkinson’s disease, but there are various medications to improve the symptoms and, thus, the person’s quality of life. To achieve this, these treatments increase and/or replace the dopamine content in the brain. On occasions when motor symptoms do not improve with medication, deep brain stimulation may be used.

References: Get to know the disease (2020, March 9). Spanish Parkinson’s Federation.