Authors' recommendations: Parkinson's disease (PD), one of several movement disorders referred to as parkinsonian syndromes or parkinsonism, is a progressive neurological disease characterized by tremor, hypokinesia, rigidity, and postural instability. The motor symptoms result from a loss of dopaminergic cells in the nigrostriatal region of the brain. Approximately 1 million people in the United States have PD. The prevalence of PD is 1% to 2% among individuals 65 years of age or older, and up to 4% in individuals older than 85 years. In addition to PD, parkinsonian syndrome includes conditions like multiple system atrophy (MSA) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Less common related syndromes are vascular parkinsonism (VP), and drug-induced parkinsonism (DIP). In addition, subtle parkinsonian signs are common in elderly patients with nonneurodegenerative disorders such as essential tremor (ET), which is not associated with nigrostriatal degeneration. There is no definitive objective test for PD; the initial diagnosis is clinical and is based on medical history, physical examination, and neurological testing. The diagnosis is often difficult since other neurodegenerative disorders have similar signs and symptoms, and the clinical features of PD can be atypical or mild, particularly in the early stages.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2012

URL for published report: http://www.hayesinc.com/hayes/crd/?crd=13579

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: United States

Organisation Name: HAYES, Inc.

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Contact Email: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Copyright: 2011 Winifred S. Hayes, Inc