title: Approach to the patient with Parkinson disease.
abstract: Parkinson disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with motor, nonmotor, and behavioral findings. Imaging technology advances have allowed the characterization of the underlying pathologic changes to the brain and identification of specific lesions in dopaminergic neurons. Although certain imaging techniques allow for detection up to 20 years before the onset of motor symptoms, these advances have yet to produce meaningful treatments to halt the disease or reverse its course. Current treatments are directed at optimizing symptomatic management. Referral to a movement disorder specialist familiar with PD should be considered for providers with limited familiarity in diagnosis or treatment.
authors.affiliation: Family Medicine Residency, Gwinnett Medical Center, 665 Duluth Hwy, Suite 501, Lawrenceville, GA 30046, USA. Electronic address: kejohnson@gwinnettmedicalcenter.org.
authors.forename: Kevin E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002230:Carbidopa; D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; C009265:carbidopa, levodopa drug combination; D007980:Levodopa; D002230:Carbidopa
keywords: Diagnosis; Motor symptoms; Nonmotor symptoms; Parkinson disease; Treatment