dictionary help| Parkinson disease --> Parkinson's disease | medical dictionary |
<neurology> A progressive, degenerative, neurological disease first described in 1817 by James Parkinson.
Pathologically there is nerve cell loss in the melanin-containing nerve cells in the brainstem (substantia nigra, locus coeruleus), where there are varying degrees of nerve cell loss with reactive gliosis along with eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions as Lewy bodies present in the substantia nigra and locus coeruleus. There is a corresponding reduction in dopamine levels in the corpus striatum.
Biochemical studies have shown below normal levels of dopamine in the caudate nucleus and putamen.
Clinical features include: shuffling gait, stooped posture, rhythmic resting tremor or the limbs, speech impediments, slowness of voluntary movements, and masklike facial expression and an eventual slowing of mental processes and dementia.
(11 Feb 2009)
parkinsonian, parkinsonism, Parkinson, James < Prev | Next > Parkinson's facies, Parkinson, Sir John
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