2. Parkinsonism is a progressive
degenerative,disorder of muscle movement,
due to dysfunction in basal ganglia.
four cardinal features:
1.Bradykinesia or hypokinesia
2.Muscle rigidity
3.Resting tremor
4.Impairment of postural balance leading to
disturbances of gait, and falling.
The secondary manifestations are mask-like face,
difficulty in speech, slowing of mental process and
dementia.
2
3. Degeneration of neurons in
the substantia nigra pars
compacta.
Degeneration of nigrostriatal
(dopaminergic) tract
Imbalance primarily between
the excitatory
neurotransmitter
Acetylcholine and inhibitory
neurotransmitter Dopamine
in the Basal Ganglia.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9. Drugs that replace dopamine (Dopamine
precursor):
Levodopa
Dopa-decarboxylase inhibitors (Drugs which
increase the central availability of Levodopa)
Carbidopa They act in the periphery as they do
not enter brain
Drugs which increase release or inhibit
reuptake of dopamine (also called
dopamine facilitator)
Amantadine
9
