Parkinson's disease: a major hypokinetic basal ganglia disorder.
Disorders of the basal ganglia can be broadly divided into two: ones that manifest hypokinesia or those that elicit hyperkinesia. Parkinson's disease is the commonest form of hypokinetic disorder. The term Parkinson's disease (PD) usually encompasses idiopathic and Parkinsonian-like syndromes. PD is a chronic and progressive disease, in which the symptoms tend to appear unilateral to begin with. Subsequently subtle dysfunctions on the contralateral side may also be observed. Tremor, akinesia and rigidity are some of the classical features of the disease. Although many hypotheses have been proposed, the cause of PD largely remains obscure. Management of PD includes pharmacological treatment or/and surgical intervention.
Sian
J
J
Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Federal Republic of Germany.
Gerlach
M
M
Youdim
M B
MB
Riederer
P
P
D000818:Animals; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005917:Globus Pallidus / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents