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Parkinson Disease l: Introduction

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: Overview

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's Disease: Treatment

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...

Alterations in Muscle Tone lll

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 Disease ll: Pathophysiology

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 ll

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 2026

Dynamic Digital Biomarkers of Motor and Cognitive Function in Parkinson's Disease

Dynamic Digital Biomarkers of Motor and Cognitive Function in Parkinson's Disease

Published on: July 24, 2019

Diagnosing non-parkinson's movement disorders.

Siobhan Lewis¹, Jane Liddle

¹Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The Practitioner

|April 14, 2012

Summary

Essential tremor is the most common movement disorder in older adults, presenting as limb tremor. DaTSCAN imaging can help differentiate essential tremor from idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD).

Area of Science:

Neurology
Geriatrics

Background:

Movement disorders, including idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD), are more prevalent with age.
Essential tremor is the most common movement disorder in the elderly population.
Other parkinsonism causes include vascular and drug-induced parkinsonism.

Purpose of the Study:

To differentiate essential tremor from other movement disorders, particularly IPD.
To highlight diagnostic features and management strategies for common movement disorders in older adults.

Main Methods:

Clinical diagnosis based on patient presentation, focusing on tremor characteristics (symmetrical upper limb tremor, less evident at rest).
Exclusion of IPD features like rigidity and bradykinesia.
Utilizing DaTSCAN imaging to distinguish between essential tremor (normal scan) and IPD (abnormal scan).

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Dynamic Digital Biomarkers of Motor and Cognitive Function in Parkinson's Disease

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Characterizing the Relationship Between Eye Movement Parameters and Cognitive Functions in Non-demented Parkinson's Disease Patients with Eye Tracking

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Assessment of Sensorimotor Function in Mouse Models of Parkinson's Disease

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Main Results:

Essential tremor typically presents with symmetrical upper limb tremor, distinct from IPD's resting tremor.
DaTSCAN results are normal in essential tremor and abnormal in IPD, aiding differential diagnosis.
Vascular parkinsonism is associated with stroke history and cardiovascular risk factors.

Conclusions:

Essential tremor is a clinical diagnosis, often managed with watchful waiting.
DaTSCAN is a valuable tool for differentiating essential tremor from IPD.
Referral to secondary care is recommended for suspected IPD or unclear diagnoses for appropriate management.