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Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition of unknown
aetiology (idiopathic) (1,2).
It is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's disease
(3).
The disease results from the degeneration of dopaminergic neurones in the substantia
nigra. Clinically the disease becomes evident when approximately 80% of the
dopaminergic neurons are lost (2).
Patients with Parkinson's disease classically present with the symptoms and signs associated with parkinsonism (1) :
- hypokinesia ( poverty of movement)
- bradykinesia (slowness of movement)
- rigidity
- rest tremor
Parkinson's disease should be suspected in those presenting with tremor, stiffness, slowness, balance problems and/or gait disorders (1)
Parkinson's disease can be seen in over 120,000 people in UK (2) and affects
around 1% of people over the age of 55.
Symptoms usually start between 60-70 years old, but one in 20 of all newly
diagnosed disease can be seen in patients younger than 40 years (young-onset
Parkinson's disease) (2).
The most common cause of Parkinsonism is Parkinson's disease and it is important
for GP's to be able to differentiate between other forms of Parkinsonism and
Parkinson's disease (4).
Parkinson's disease
is due to the degeneration of dopaminergic neurones in the substantia nigra.
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