Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 26, 2026
10:28
Dynamic Digital Biomarkers of Motor and Cognitive Function in Parkinson's Disease
Published on: July 24, 2019
Exploring the relationship between Parkinson's disease and hemifacial spasm
1Department of Neurology, Singapore, General Hospital, Singapore. gnrtek@sgh.com.sg
Acta Neurologica Scandinavica
|April 25, 2006
Summary
Parkinson's disease (PD) and hemifacial spasm (HFS) may co-exist, but this study found no significant increased risk of HFS in PD patients. HFS symptoms are unlikely to be clinically important for most individuals with Parkinson's disease.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Movement Disorders
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Co-occurrence of Parkinson's disease (PD) and hemifacial spasm (HFS) has been reported, suggesting a potential link.
- Limited data exists on the prevalence and relationship between these two neurological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between Parkinson's disease and hemifacial spasm.
- To determine if PD patients have a higher incidence of HFS compared to controls.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study comparing PD patients with a control group.
- Prevalence of HFS was assessed in 300 PD patients and 300 controls.
- Demographic and clinical features of PD patients with HFS were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Three out of 300 (1%) PD patients presented with HFS, while 0% of controls had HFS.
- PD patients with HFS were significantly older than patients with HFS alone.
- HFS symptoms in PD patients emerged around the onset of PD, predominantly on the left side.
Conclusions:
- The study found no statistically significant increased risk of HFS among the general Parkinson's disease population.
- Hemifacial spasm is unlikely to be a clinically significant symptom for the majority of PD patients.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:15Parkinson's Disease: Overview
Neurodegenerative disorders are progressive diseases that cause irreversible damage and loss to neurons in specific brain areas. Examples of these disorders include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). These disorders share characteristics such as proteinopathies, selective neuronal vulnerability, and a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. The primary therapeutic goal for these conditions is to...
01:24Parkinson's Disease: Treatment
Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease (PD), involve the gradual and irreversible destruction of neurons in particular brain areas. These disorders exhibit standard features like proteinopathies, selective vulnerability of some neurons, and an interaction of intrinsic properties, genetics, and environmental influences in neural injury.
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of its...
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of its...
01:24Parkinson Disease l: Introduction
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects movement. It is characterized by motor symptoms such as resting tremors, muscle rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), and postural instability. Patients may notice hand tremors at rest, stiffness during movement, or a shuffling gait. In addition to motor features, non-motor symptoms include sleep disturbances, mood and behavioral changes, constipation, and cognitive impairment, all of which...
01:24Parkinson Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Parkinson disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder primarily affecting movement, with additional non-motor features. Its pathophysiology involves complex interactions among genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, and cellular dysfunction, including dopaminergic neuron loss, protein aggregation, and mitochondrial impairment.Selective NeurodegenerationA key feature is the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, leading to reduced...
01:12Alterations in Muscle Tone ll
Alterations in muscle tone are common manifestations of neurological disorders and reflect dysfunction within different nervous system regions. Spasticity, paratonia, and dystonia represent distinct forms of hypertonia, each with unique mechanisms, clinical features, and diagnostic importance.CharacteristicsSpasticity happens from upper motor neuron lesions and is characterized by velocity-dependent resistance to passive movement. Clinical features include:Exaggerated deep tendon reflexesClonus...
01:11Alterations in Muscle Tone lll
Rigidity and myotonia are distinct abnormalities of muscle tone that affect resistance and relaxation during movement. Although both involve altered muscle contraction, they arise from different neurological and muscular mechanisms.CharacteristicsRigidity is characterized by uniform resistance to passive movement across the entire range, independent of speed, affecting flexors and extensors equally. It may appear as lead-pipe rigidity (smooth, constant resistance) or cogwheel rigidity...