Parkinson's Disease Research Paper

Parkinsonism: - Parkinsonism is a disorder of extrapyramidal system, characterized by tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and postural disturbance.

Parkinson’s disease (Paralysis Agitans)

Parkinson’s disease (PD) most commonly affects person over the age of 55 year, and is characterized by: bradykinesia, rest tremor, rigidity and postural instability. (At least two of these and a response to levodopa should be usually present to make the diagnosis). The substantia nigra has two parts, the pars reticulata (made up of nonpigmented cells) and the pars compacta (made of pigmented neurons).

I. ETIOLOGY:

The factors responsible for kampavata are not known exactly; this is a multi-factorial. The main concepts regarding the etiology are given as follows:

Age –

The concentration of acetylcholine in the striatum is preserved but in those with dementia, acetylcholine content in the cerebral cortex is decrease, probably as a result of loss of neurons in the substantia innominata. Moreover, demented patients with parkinson’s disease like those with alzheimer’s disease, also have a loss of somatostatin neurons in the cortex. Low 5 HT concentration in the brain, may contribute to the depression commonly seen in patients with parkinson’s disease.

II. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:

TREMOR: - Onset of Parkinson’s disease is typically asymmetrical and Tremor usually begins in one upper extremity and initially may be intermittent. As with most tremors, the amplitude increases with stress or emotion and resolves during sleep.

Resting 4-6 Hz

™ usually first in finger/thumb

™ coarse complex movement flexion/extension of finger

™ abduction/adduction of thumb

™ supination/pronation of forearm

™ may affect arm, leg, feet, jaw, tongue

™ intermittent, present at rest and when distracted

™ diminished on action

™ appear as a ‘pill-rolling’ motion of the hand Postural 8-10 Hz

™ less obvious, faster, finer, amplitude

™ present on action or posture, persist with