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Parkinson disease
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Parkinson disease

Contributors: Jamie Adams MD, Richard L. Barbano MD, PhD, Ray Dorsey MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Parkinson disease is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by loss of dopaminergic cells. Average age of onset is 60 years, although it can less commonly affect individuals younger than 50 (early- or young-onset Parkinson disease). Cardinal symptoms include rest tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural and gait instability. Symptoms often start unilaterally but typically progress to bilateral involvement. Foot cramps are a common early symptom. Other common signs and symptoms include anosmia, constipation, rapid-eye-movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD), micrographia, decreased finger dexterity, reduced arm swing, masked facies, hypophonia, drooling, dysphagia, cognitive impairment, depression, anxiety, weight loss, and autonomic dysfunction. "Non-motor" symptoms may also include psychosis (eg, visual hallucinations, delusions).

The disease is progressive. Speed of progression is variable among patients, although it is generally slow (years), such that significant changes over less than a year's time should prompt consideration of other diagnoses. Five to ten percent of cases have a genetic propensity, often related to autosomal recessive mutations in the Parkin gene.

Several environmental factors are linked to Parkinson disease including certain pesticides, drinking well water, and exposure to industrial solvents like trichloroethylene, which are widely used in degreasing and dry cleaning.

Related topics: parkinsonism, dementia

Codes

ICD10CM:
G20.A1 – Parkinson's disease without dyskinesia, without mention of fluctuations

SNOMEDCT:
49049000 – Parkinson's disease

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Last Reviewed:05/10/2020
Last Updated:07/05/2020
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Parkinson disease
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A medical illustration showing key findings of Parkinson disease (Motor/musculoskeletal features) : Muscle pain, Dystonia, Joint stiffness, Rigidity, Leg cramp, Unsteady gait, Bradykinesia, Resting tremor
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