PARKINSON'S SYMPTOMSAdapted from Tables 1 and 2 of Parkinson's Medications from the Parkinson's Foundation and from the Michael J. Fox Foundation
Active dreaming
AkinesiaInability to move (freezing) or difficulty in initiaiting or maintaining a body motion
AthetosisA movement disorder marked by loss of balance and decreased muscle coordination during voluntary movements.
Autonomic DysfunctionA movement disorder sometimes confused with Parkinson's disease that manifests in low, repetitive, involuntary, writhing movements of the arms, legs, hands, and neck that are often especially severe in the fingers and hands.
BradykinesiaOne of the cardinal clinical features of PD, the slowing down and loss of spontaneous and voluntary movement
Cognitive DysfunctionThe loss of intellectual functions (such as thinking, remembering, and reasoning) of sufficient severity to interfere with daily functioning. The term cognitive dysfunction includes dementia and executive dysfunction, and may also encompass changes in personality, mood, and behavior. Cognitive dysfunction in Parkinson's disease typically does not respond to dopamine replacement therapy and ranges from mild impairment to dementia.
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
Dream enactment
Drooling due to slowed swallowingSialorrhea
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Fatigue
Freezing
Hallucinations
Incontinence
Insomnia
Involuntary movements
Loss of sense of smell
Mood changesDepression, anxiety, irritability
Motor symptoms
Non-motor symptoms
Orthostatic hypotensionLightheadedness and low blood pressure when standing
Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD)
Postural instabilityTendency to fall, usually when pivoting
REM behavioral disorder
Restless leg syndrome (RLS)(RBD)
RigidityStiffness of movement
SeborrheaOily skin
Sensory problems
Sexual dysfunctionPain, tightness, tingling, burning
Sleep disorders
Speech problems
Swallowing problems
TremorInvoluntary shaking of the hands, feet, arms, legs, jaw or tongue; usually more prominent at rest (during sleep)
Urinary urgency
Vocalizations
MEDICATIONS
Agonist (Dopamine agonists)Drugs used to imitate dopomine when levels are low; lowers incidence of dyskinesia and heart-related effects; increased compulsive behavior
Amantadine (Symmetrel)Mono Therapy for slownes, stiffness, tremor, combine with Levodopa for motor fluctuations, esp for dykinesia
AnticholinergicA class of drugs often effective in reducing the tremor of Parkinson's disease. They work by blocking the action of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter in the brain. However, because acetylcholine is involved in memory, learning and thinking, anticholinergic drugs can bring about cognitive side effects including confusion or dementia
AntioxidantA chemical compound or substance that inhibits oxidation - damage to cells' membranes, proteins or genetic material by free radicals (the same chemical reaction that causes iron to rust). Some studies have linked oxidative damage to Parkinson's disease.
Apomorphine (Apokyn)(Dopomine Agonist) Adjunct therapy for sudden wearing off; the only injectable, fast-acting dopominergic drug
Benztropine (Cogentin)(Anticolinergic) - Mono therapy or comb therapy for tremor in Young Onset - Avoid in elderly
CarbidopaA levodopa enhancer; enables an 80% reduction in levodopa for the same benefit with a reduction in side effects
Carbidopa/ levidopaFormularies are Sinemet, Parcopa, Sinemet CR, Stalevco, Rytary, Duopa
COMT-inhibitorsPrevents peripheral degradation of Levadopa, allowing more to cross blood-brain barrier;must be used with Levadopa
CreatineA naturally occurring amino acid that helps to supply energy to muscle cells. A preliminary clinical trial in 200 Parkinson's patients, published in February 2006, suggested that creatine may slow the progression of PD and may therefore merit additional study.
Entacapone (Comtan)(COMT-Inhibitor) - Combination therapy with Levodopa for motor fluctuations
LevodopaAbsorbed into bloodstream from small intestine to brain where converted into dopomine and allowed to cross the blood-brain barrier
MAO-B inhibitorsSubstance used to make dopamine; slows breakdown of levadopa and dopomine in the brain; can be used as monotherapy
Pramipexole (Mirapex)(Dopomine Agonist) Formularies are Mirapex Pramipexole ER, - Mono/combination therapy for slowness, stiffness, tremor
Rasagiline (Azilect)(MAO-B Inhibitor) Monotherapy for slowness, stiffness and tremor, adjunct therapy for motor fluctuations
Ropinerole (Requip)(Dopomine Agonist) Formularies are Requip, Ropinerole XL - Mono/comb therapy for slowness, stiffness, tremor
Rotigitine (Neupro patch)(Dopomine Agonist) For quicker delivery - Mono/combination therapy for slowness, stiffness, tremor
Selegiline (Edepryl)(MAO-B Inhibitor) Monotherapy for slowness, stiffness and tremor, adjunct therapy for motor fluctuations
Seligline HCL (Zelapar)(MAO-B Inhibitor) - The only orally disintegrating MAO-B; Monotherapy for slowness, stiffness and tremor, adjunct theory for motor fluctuations
Tolcapone (Tasmar)(COMT-Inhibitor) - Combination therapy with Levodopa for motor fluctuations; more side effects than Entacapone
Trihexyphenedyl (formerly Artane)(Anticolinergic) - Mono therapy or comb therapy for trmor in Young Onset - Avoid in elderly
MEDICAL & SCIENCE TERMS
Alpha-synucleinA protein if present in high conentrations in Lewy Bodies can cause a genetic mutation and a rare form of PD
Basal GangliaAny problem with the functioning of the autonomic nervous system, which controls unconscious body functions that affect the bladder, bowels, sweating, sexual function and blood pressure.
Basal GangliaA region deep within the brain consisting of large clusters of neurons responsible for voluntary movements such as walking and movement coordination. Many of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease are brought on by loss of or damage to dopamine neurons in this region, which encompasses the striatum, the subthalamic nucleus, and the substantia nigra.
Bilateral SurgerySurgery performed on both sides of the brain.
BiomarkersSpecific, measurable physical traits used to determine or indicate the effects or progress of a disease or condition. For example, high blood pressure is a biomarker of potential cardiovascular disease. No validated biomarker of Parkinson's disease currently exists.
Blood-brain BarrierA thin layer of tightly packed cells separating the central nervous system from the body's blood stream. This layer is crucial to protecting the brain from foreign substances, but also blocks some potentially therapeutic treatments from entering the brain via orally administered drugs.
Cell Replacement StrategyA strategy aiming to replace cells damaged or lost by disease or injury with healthy new cells. Cell replacement in Parkinson's aims to replace with new cells the dopamine-producing cells in the brain that are progressively lost through Parkinsons's disease.
Central Nervous System (CNS)Central nervous system is a term referring to the brain and spinal cord.
ChoreaA general term for movement disorders that can be confused with Parkinson's disease, which are characterized by involuntary, random, jerking movements of muscles in the body, face, or extremities.
CT ScanCT (Computed Tomography) scan is a technique that uses a series of X-rays to create image "slices" of the body from different orientations to create a two-dimensional cross sectional images of the body. Sometimes called CAT scan
Side EffectsBeneficial or adverse effects of the one intended, including long-term consequences
THERAPIES
Education
Exercise, Other
Exercise, Regular
Holistic practicing
Nutritional consultation
Occuptional therapy
Physical Therapy
Psychological Counseling
Speech Therapy
Support groups
OTHER TERMS
Care partner(caregiver)