Degenerative loss of
dopaminergic neurons
in the substantia nigra
of the basal ganglia
Risk factors
Estrogen
Family History
male
Old age
Pathology of
Parkinsion
PALLOR of the
SUBSTANTIA NIGRA
LEWY BODIES
(alpha-synuclein protein)
Signs &
symptoms
Tremors
Investigation
Management
Prognosis
A period of 2 to 3 years when treatment
with dopaminergic agents results in
resolution of symptoms.
After 5 years of levodopa treatment, motor
complications develop.
Eventually, after a number of years, the emergence of
symptoms such as freezing, falling, and dementia, which do
not respond to levodopa, cause significant disability.
Causes
Genetic causes such as lack
of GSTTT1 and the presence
of LRRK2
Environmental
factors like Pesticides
(paraquat)
drug-induced parkinsonism
where symptoms develop after taking certain
medications, such as some types of antipsychotic
medication, and usually improve once the
medication is stopped
progressive brain
conditions
progressive
supranuclear
palsy
multiple systems
atrophy
corticobasal
degeneration
cerebrovascular
disease
where a series of
small strokes cause several
parts of the brain to die