Movement disorders are clinical syndromes with either an excess of movement or a paucity of voluntary and involuntary movements, unrelated to weakness or spasticity.
Movement disorders are synonymous with basal ganglia or extrapyramidal diseases.
Movement disorders are conventionally divided into two major categories hyperkinetic and hypokinetic.
1. Hyperkinetic movement disorders refer to dyskinesia, or excessive, often repetitive, involuntary movements that intrude upon the normal flow of motor activity. E.g. Chorea, dystonia, tremors etc.
2. Hypokinetic movement disorders refer to akinesia (lack of movement), hypokinesia (reduced amplitude of movements), bradykinesia (slow movement) and rigidity. E.g. Parkinson’s disease, atypical parkinsonian diseases like PSP, CBGD, MSA etc.
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects predominately dopamine-producing (“dopaminergic”) neurons in a specific area of the brain called substantia nigra.
1. Tremor, mainly at rest and described as pill rolling tremor in hands
2. Slowed movement (bradykinesia)
3. Rigid muscles
4. Impaired posture and balance
5. Loss of automatic movements
6. Speech changes
7. Writing changes
No specific test exists to diagnose Parkinson's disease. Neurologist will diagnose Parkinson's disease based on your medical history, a review of your signs and symptoms, and a neurological and physical examination.
Imaging tests — such as MRI, CT, ultrasound of the brain, and PET scans — may also be used to help rule out other disorders. Imaging tests aren't particularly helpful for diagnosing Parkinson's disease.
Medications may help you manage problems with walking, movement and tremor. These medications increase or substitute for dopamine.
In deep brain stimulation (DBS), surgeons implant electrodes into a specific part of your brain. The electrodes are connected to a generator implanted in your chest near your collarbone that sends electrical pulses to your brain and may reduce your Parkinson's disease symptoms.