parkinsonism
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A degenerative neurological disorder: "parkinsonism" is a term for a group of neurological conditions characterized primarily by tremor, muscle rigidity, slowness of movement, and impaired balance and coordination. It results from the degeneration of dopamine-producing cells in the brain.
Usage
- The term "parkinsonism" is used in medical contexts to describe the clinical syndrome of motor symptoms, regardless of the underlying cause. It serves as an umbrella term.
- It is often used when the specific type of parkinsonism (e.g., Parkinson's disease, drug-induced parkinsonism) is not yet specified or when referring to the general symptom complex.
Examples
- Noun:
- The patient was diagnosed with parkinsonism, presenting with a resting tremor and bradykinesia.
- Several medications can cause symptoms of parkinsonism as a side effect.
- The study focused on the differential diagnosis of various forms of parkinsonism.
Advanced Usage
- "Atypical parkinsonism": refers to parkinsonian syndromes that have additional features, progress differently, or respond poorly to standard Parkinson's disease medications (e.g., Multiple System Atrophy, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy).
- Atypical parkinsonism often has a poorer prognosis than idiopathic Parkinson's disease.
- "Secondary parkinsonism": parkinsonism caused by an identifiable external factor, such as certain drugs, toxins, or other brain disorders.
- The neurologist determined his symptoms were due to secondary parkinsonism induced by an antipsychotic medication.
Variants and Related Words
- Parkinson's disease (n): The most common and specific form of parkinsonism, often called "idiopathic Parkinson's disease." It is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder.
- Parkinson's disease is the primary cause of parkinsonism.
- Parkinsonian (adj): Relating to or characteristic of parkinsonism.
- The patient exhibited parkinsonian features, including cogwheel rigidity.
Synonyms
- Parkinsonian syndrome: A clinical synonym for the set of motor symptoms.
- Paralysis agitans: An older, less common term historically used for Parkinson's disease.
Related Phrases
- Drug-induced parkinsonism: A common type of secondary parkinsonism.
- The psychiatrist monitored the patient closely for signs of drug-induced parkinsonism.
- Vascular parkinsonism: Parkinsonism caused by multiple small strokes affecting the brain's basal ganglia.
- His gait disturbance was attributed to vascular parkinsonism.
Noun
- a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system characterized by tremor and impaired muscular coordination