Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 29, 2026

Induction and Assessment of Levodopa-induced Dyskinesias in a Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease
05:51

Induction and Assessment of Levodopa-induced Dyskinesias in a Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease

Published on: October 14, 2021

[Subacute worsening of rigidity in a patient with Parkinson disease]

Svein Ivar Bekkelund1, Hallvard Lilleng, Kjell Arne Arntzen

  • 1Nevrologisk avdeling, Universitetssykehuset Nord-Norge, 9038 Tromsø. svein.ivar.bekkelund@unn.no

Tidsskrift for Den Norske Laegeforening : Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin, Ny Raekke
|October 16, 2008
PubMed

Insights

A Parkinson's disease patient developed severe rigidity, initially mistaken for PD progression. A brain MRI revealed a glioblastoma multiforme, highlighting the need to investigate rapid symptom worsening in PD patients.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Neuro-oncology

Background:

  • Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder.
  • Levodopa is a primary treatment for Parkinson's disease symptoms.

Observation:

  • A 75-year-old male with a 12-year history of moderate Parkinson's disease presented with subacute worsening of motor symptoms, particularly rigidity.
  • Despite dose adjustments of levodopa, the patient experienced prolonged "off" periods and significant mobility impairment.
  • Neurological examination revealed exacerbated parkinsonian signs, but no spasticity or hyperreflexia.

Findings:

  • Brain MRI identified an intracerebral lesion, subsequently diagnosed as glioblastoma multiforme.
  • The onset of marked rigidity preceded the development of overt tumor-specific symptoms by several weeks.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the critical importance of considering alternative diagnoses, such as brain tumors, in Parkinson's disease patients experiencing rapid symptom progression.
  • Early detection of underlying conditions like glioblastoma multiforme is crucial for appropriate management and improved patient outcomes.

More Related Videos

Rating L-DOPA-Induced Dyskinesias in the Unilaterally 6-OHDA-Lesioned Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease06:45

Rating L-DOPA-Induced Dyskinesias in the Unilaterally 6-OHDA-Lesioned Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease

Published on: October 4, 2021

Controlling Parkinson's Disease With Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation11:12

Controlling Parkinson's Disease With Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation

Published on: July 16, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Alterations in Muscle Tone lll01:11

Alterations 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...
Parkinson's Disease: Overview01:15

Parkinson'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...
Parkinson Disease l: Introduction01:24

Parkinson 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...
Parkinson's Disease: Treatment01:24

Parkinson'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 Disease ll: Pathophysiology01:24

Parkinson 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...
Alterations in Muscle Tone ll01:12

Alterations 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...