Parkinson’s disease is named after James Parkinson who in 1817 first wrote an essay on “shaking palsy”.

2. INTRODUCTION
 Parkinson’s disease , is named after James Parkinson who
in 1817 first wrote essay on “shaking palsy”.
 World Parkinson's Day is started in year 1997 on 11th
April ( birthday of James Parkinson )
 Definition :It is a chronic disorder in which there is
degeneration of neurons in brain which causes a drop in
dopamine levels.
 It occurs in the age group of 60s and mostly men are
affected than women.

3. ETIOLOGY
1)Heredity
2)Antipsychotic drugs like
haloperidol
3)Encephalitis due to brain trauma,
tumors, or ischemia
4)Arteriosclerosis
5)Neurotoxins such as cyanide,
pesticides and carbon monoxide

4. CLINICAL FEATURE
In the beginning stages
 Mild tremor
 Slight limp
 Decreased arm swing
 Slight change in speech pattern

6.  Classical clinical manifestations -
1).Tremor -
It affects hand writing. Tremor also seen in limbs, jaw,
lips, lower facial muscles and head
2). Rigidity -
Muscles feel stiff and required increased effort to move
• Discomfort or pain may be felt in muscle when rigidity
is severe.
3). Bradykinesia (akinesia) -
Means slowness and difficulty in initiating of
movement.

7. 4).Postural instability -
i) Changes in gait -Tendency to walk forward on the
toes with small shuffling steps.
ii) Changes in balance
• Difficulty in maintaining balance and sitting erect
• Stooped posture when standing

8. 5).Facial appearance
• Expressionless
• Eyes store straight ahead
• Blinking is much less frequent than normal
6).Speech problems
• Low volume
• Slurred
• Monotonous speech
• Difficulty with starting speech and word finding

9. 7). Visual problems
• Blurred vision
• Impaired upward gaze
• Blepharospasm (involuntary prolonged closing of the
eyelids)
8) Others problems-
•Constipation
•Orthostatic hypotension or postural hypotension
• Dysphagia( difficulty in swallowing )
• Drooling (saliva flowing outside mouth )
• Oily skin (due to over production of sebum)
• Depression
• Dementia