title: Neuropathologic and clinical features of Parkinson's disease in Alzheimer's disease patients.
abstract: While dementia in Parkinson's disease (PD) is well described, PD features in Alzheimer's disease (AD) are being increasingly recognized. In 20 neuropathologically confirmed AD brains, 11 cases (55%) showed PD changes (Lewy body formation, neuronal loss, and gliosis of pigmented nuclei), with no significant difference in age or symptom duration between those cases with and without PD pathology. A history of rigidity in the absence of neuroleptic medication was noted in 80% of those with PD pathology but only 14% of those without PD pathology. Tremor was not observed in either group. This suggests that extrapyramidal signs, especially rigidity, noted in many AD patients are related to coexistent PD pathology.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002479:Inclusion Bodies / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011712:Pyramidal Tracts / Q000473:pathology