Options Overview for Inadequately Controlled Motor Fluctuations As Parkinson’s disease progresses, the response to levodopa becomes more complex and medication beneficial effects begin to wear off between doses. The variations in mobility such that patients can tell when their medications kick in and wear off are referred to as motor fluctuations. Although motor fluctuations can [...]
Surgical treatment for Parkinson’s disease is indicated for patients who have disabling motor complications despite maximal drug therapy. This includes disabling levodopa-induced dyskinesias, medication-refractory disabling tremor or marked motor fluctuations in which there is variation in mobility from extremely immobile to good functioning. Surgical treatment is very helpful to treat motor complications, but with the [...]
Exercise has shown to be helpful for maintenance of good health for normal individuals in the population. It has especially been demonstrated to improve a variety of different features of Parkinson’s disease including gait, strength, balance, and speed of movement. In the general population including patients with Parkinson’s disease, cardiovascular exercise improves cognitive function, mood, [...]
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by cell (neuronal) death of dopamine producing cells. The area in the brain with the most substantial degeneration is called the substantia nigra, which is one of the main sources of dopamine for the brain. When Parkinson’s motor symptoms arise, at least 50% of the neurons in the [...]
