Download Parkinson’s Plus

Parkinson’s Plus
By: Glen Estrosos
Parkinson’s Plus
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Many neurological disorders share
features of Parkinson's disease.
Parkinson's plus syndromes (PD Plus)
include some signs of Parkinson's
disease, as well as additional symptoms
such as inappropriate eye movement
control (progressive supranuclear palsy),
autonomic dysfunction (multiple system
atrophy), muscle weakness and atrophy,
profound memory difficulties and
behavioral disturbances, and others.
People with Parkinson’s
Under the Umbrella
* Multiple system
* Progressive
supranuclear palsy
*Olivopontocerebe
llaratrophy
* Corticobasal
degeneration
atrophy
*Dementia with
Lewy bodies
Etiology / Pathophysiology
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Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a
neurodegenerative disease characterized
by parkinsonism, cerebellar dysfunction,
and autonomic disturbances.
Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a
rare degenerative disorder that causes
serious and permanent deficits in
movement and cognitive function.
Etiology / Pathophysiology
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Corticobasal degeneration (CBD) is a rare,
progressive, neurodegenerative disease that
causes movement disorders and dementia.
Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) exhibits clinical
overlap between Alzheimer's disease and
Parkinson’s disease.
Olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA) is a group of
disorders characterized by degeneration of three
brain areas: the inferior olives, the pons, and the
cerebellum. OPCA causes increasingly severe
ataxia (loss of coordination) as well as other
symptoms.
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It is said by neurologists that patients
presenting with falls early in the course of
a Parkinsonian illness are more likely to
have a Parkinson-plus syndrome than
idiopathic Parkinson's disease.
The Parkinson-plus syndromes are usually
more rapidly progressive and less likely to
respond to anti-parkinsonian medication
than Parkinson's disease. However, the
additional features of the diseases may
respond to medications not used in
Parkinson's disease.