How does Parkinson's affect movement?
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Parkinson's disease significantly impacts movement through various mechanisms:
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Bradykinesia, Rigidity, and Tremor: These are the hallmark motor symptoms of Parkinson's. Bradykinesia refers to the slowing down of movements, making actions like walking or writing laborious and slow. Rigidity involves muscle stiffness, while tremors typically manifest as involuntary shaking, commonly in one hand or one side of the body 1 2 3.
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Truncal Instability and Shuffling Gait: Patients often experience instability in the upper body, making it challenging to stand or walk steadily. The shuffling gait is characterized by short, dragging steps and difficulty in picking up the feet, increasing the risk of falls 1 2.
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Neurological Mechanism: The primary neurological impairment in Parkinson's involves the dopamine system. Dopamine is crucial for smooth and coordinated muscle movements. In Parkinson's, the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the basal ganglia (a brain region involved in movement control) leads to the motor symptoms 4 5.
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Expression and Fine Motor Skills: Parkinson's can diminish facial expressiveness and fine motor skills, affecting the ability to convey emotions and perform detailed tasks such as writing or buttoning a shirt 1 2.
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Therapeutic Interventions: Engaging in activities like dancing or using musical cues can temporarily mitigate some symptoms. Music notably primes the brain to move, offering temporary restoration of movement capabilities that would otherwise be impaired due to the disease 4 5 5.
These various aspects highlight the extensive impact of Parkinson's disease on motor functions, emphasizing the need for multifaceted therapeutic approaches.
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