Parkinsonism - An Overview

Introduction:

Parkinsonism is a term that refers to conditions with similar movement-related effects. These conditions involve slower movements, and some other symptoms are possible depending on the condition. These conditions are usually lifelong and mainly involve brain deterioration. However, most of them are also treatable.

What Is Parkinsonism?

Parkinsonism is a term that refers to the conditions of the brain that cause slower movements, rigidity (stiffness), and tremors. These conditions can result from many reasons, including genetic mutations, reactions to medications, and infections. Parkinsonism is a disease that occurs when a person has symptoms and brain dysfunction commonly associated with Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease refers to dysfunction and cell death of the portion of the brain that produces dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter chemical that transmits signals between the brain and nerve cells. It is partially responsible for making controlled movements in the body.

Who Does Parkinsonism Affect?

Parkinsonism overall is usually an age-related disease. It is more commonly seen in males as compared to females. The most common forms of Parkinsonism mostly occur after the age of 60. But some forms can occur at an earlier age also. The average age when juvenile Parkinsonism starts is 17. That form of Parkinsonism is also four times more common in males than females.

What Are the Causes of Parkinsonism?

Parkinsonism can be caused by Parkinson’s disease and another underlying condition. Other causes associated with Parkinsonism include:

• Corticobasal Degeneration: This condition causes dementia and affects movements, usually on one side. A person may also be unable to make controlled muscle movements.

• Dementia With Lewy bodies: This condition causes changes in overall alertness and visual hallucinations. This condition is the second most common cause of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

• Multiple System Atrophy: This condition affects coordination and autonomic dysfunction, including bowel and bladder incontinence.

• Progressive Supranuclear Palsy: This condition causes dementia, frequent backward falls, and problems moving the eyes up and down, in addition to Parkinson’s disease symptoms.

According to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, the conditions above are the four most common causes of Parkinsonism. The number of people with these conditions is about one-fourth of the number of people who have Parkinson’s disease. Another less common condition called vascular Parkinsonism also exists. This condition causes multiple small strokes that can affect a person’s balance, walking, and memory.

Parkinsonism is also sometimes caused due to certain medications. Doctors call this condition drug-induced Parkinsonism. Examples of drugs that could cause it include Aripiprazole, Haloperidol, and Metoclopramide. If a person has drug-induced Parkinsonism, they can slowly reduce the dosages of these medicines. However, that may not always be possible, and a person should not stop taking medication without their doctor’s approval.

What Are the Symptoms of Parkinsonism?

According to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, a person with Parkinsonism usually starts developing symptoms at anywhere from age 50 to 80. Parkinson’s disease can cause a variety of progressive symptoms throughout its course. Some of the most common symptoms associated with the disease include:

• Difficulty showing facial expressions.

• Muscle stiffness.

• Slowed, affected movements.

• Speech changes.

• Tremor, especially of one hand.

• Dementia.

• Issues with the autonomic nervous system include problems with controlled movements or spasms.

• Early problems with balance.

• Rapid onset and progression of symptoms.

• Unstable posture or walking gait.

• Flexed, hunched, or stooped posture.

• Freezing (being unable to move when trying to walk).

Each underlying cause of Parkinsonism, such as dementia with Lewy bodies, also has unique symptoms.

How Is Parkinsonism Diagnosed?

When doctors suspect a condition that falls under Parkinsonism, various imaging and diagnostic tests are possible. These include:

• Blood Tests- It is a routine laboratory test done to check for any infection in the body.

• Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan- This is a form of imaging technique that gives images of almost all the parts of the body.

• Genetic Testing- Genetic testing is done at an early stage to look for the genes that are responsible for causing this disease. A karyotype test examines the blood or body fluids for abnormal chromosomes. It is frequently used to detect genetic diseases in the developing fetus.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)- MRI is a type of imaging technique that gives a more detailed image of all body parts.

• Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan- A PET scan is an imaging test that produces images of all the organs and tissues at work. It can detect early signs of cancer, heart disease, and brain conditions. It involves an injection of a safe radioactive tracer that helps detect diseased cells.

How Is Parkinsonism Treated?

• One of the most commonly prescribed medications to treat Parkinson’s disease is Levodopa. This medication is related to Dopamine and can increase the amount of Dopamine available in the brain. However, people with Parkinsonism have problems producing Dopamine and have damaged or destroyed cells that cannot respond to dopamine. As a result, Levodopa may not work as well to reduce their symptoms.

• Doctors can find Parkinsonism challenging to treat as the symptoms of the condition do not always respond as well or at all to medications that boost dopamine. As a result, treatments for Parkinsonism depend upon the other disease that a person has. For example, if a person has corticobasal degeneration and related muscle spasms, a doctor may prescribe antidepressants and botulinum toxin A injections.

• Treatments for Parkinsonism usually aim to help reduce a person’s symptoms whenever possible to help them maintain independence. Doctors often recommend physical and occupational therapy because they can help a person keep their muscles strong and improve balance.

Conclusion:

Parkinsonism is a disease that occurs when a person has brain dysfunction, restricted movement, and some other symptoms as per the condition. It is caused due to multiple reasons, such as corticobasal degeneration, dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple system atrophies, etc. It shows symptoms such as muscle stiffness, slower movements, tremors, unstable posture, etc. It can be diagnosed with the help of gene testing, CT scan, MRI, etc. Parkinsonism is treated with medications such as Levodopa, antidepressants, etc.