Parkinson's Disease: An Issue of Neurologic Clinics

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by both motor and non-motor symptoms. These may include bradykinesia, tremor, rigidity, postural instability, autonomic dysfunction, sensory and sleep difficulties, neuropsychiatric problems, etc. Research indicates a strong association of genetic and environmental factors to the development of PD. The diagnosis of PD is usually based on presenting symptoms. Neuroimaging is usually done to rule out other diseases. There is no available cure of Parkinson's, but physical treatment, medications and surgery can offer relief. Deep brain stimulation, induced lesions to suppress overactivity of specific areas of the brain, and pallidotomy are some surgical interventions used to manage PD. Regular physical exercise, relaxation techniques, meditation, strength-building exercises, speech therapy, etc. constitute various strategies of rehabilitating patients with PD. This book presents the complex aspects of Parkinson's disease in the most comprehensible and easy to understand language. It aims to shed light on some of the unexplored aspects of this disease. This book will prove to be immensely beneficial to students and researchers in neuroscience.