Parkinsonismen



by:Meg Duggan

meg@PARKINSONHEARTLAND.ORG



PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy)

Is characterized by the inability to move the eyes in an up and down movment, neck dystonia causing the head to be fixed skyward, dysphagia and dysarthria. PSP patients also have a tendency to suddenly lose their balance. Early symptoms are often vague and include mild difficulties with balance, tiredness and blurring or double vision.


CBGD (Cortico-basal-ganglionic degeneration)

Is a rare drug-resistant form of parkinsonism. Patients suffering from CBGD frequently have apraxia, actionmyoclonus, alien limb phenomenon, and stimulus sensitive myoclonus. Early in the disease, CBGD is often misdiagnosed as Parkinson's disease, despite the fact that tremor is not common.
 

MSA

The Multi-System Atrophies include Olivopotocerebellar Atrophy (OCPA), Striato-Nigral Degeneration (SND), and Shy-Drager Syndrome (SDS).


OPCA

This is a progressive neurological disorder marked by ataxia, loss of coordination, tremor, disturbances in speech and eye movement and muscular rigidity. Later stages bring resting tremor, disturbances in speech and eye movement and muscular rigidity. OPCA usually begins in middle age and moved quickly, most patients are wheelchair bound within several years of onset. Diagnosis is made through the presence of ataxia, parkinsonism and failure to respond to anti-Parkinson medications. An MRI scan showing brainstem and cerebellar shrinkage can me helpful in the diagnosis.

SND

SND patients may develop rigidity, bradykinesia, facial masking, shuffling gait, swallowing difficulties and hushed, quiet speech. Neck dystonia causing a marked forward tilt of the head can also appear. Many SND patients suffer from anxiety and irritability. An MRI can sometimes identify changes in the brain, and SND responds poorly to anti-Parkinson medications, but it remains difficult to distinguish in its early stages. The disease moves swiftly and is often fatal in five years or so. SDS affects the autonomic nervous system and is combined with Parkinsonism. Patients often experience rigidity, facial masking, resting tremor, bradykinesia, balance difficulties, dysarthria, dysphagia, strong mood swings and gait difficulites. The body's inability to maintain blood pressure often results in fainting, weakness, problems with concentration, headaches, confusion and vision difficulties. Parkinson medications may help temporarily, and blood pressure medications are availalbe. Increased dietary salt may also be helpful.