Dr. Sara Schaefer discusses movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease, drug-induced movement disorders, tremor types, dystonia, and more. She covers the differences between rigidity and spasticity, pharmacological and surgical treatment options for Parkinson's disease, pathology in movement disorders, Huntington's disease, rubral tremor characteristics, and treatment strategies for various movement disorders.
Differentiating between rigidity and spasticity is crucial for diagnosing Parkinson's disease.
Parkinson's disease can impact various body systems, leading to symptoms like constipation and drooling.
Understanding the distinctions between rest and action tremor types is essential for appropriate treatment.
Deep dives
Overview of Movement Disorders
Movement disorders like Parkinson's disease, Parkinson's Plus syndromes, drug-induced movement disorders, tremor, movement disorders in sleep, restless leg syndrome, dystonia, REM behavior disorder, and restless leg syndrome were discussed. Specific clinical characteristics, diagnostic approaches, and treatment strategies for each disorder were highlighted.
Parkinson's Disease Clinical Features
Parkinson's disease is defined by bradykinesia, rigidity, and rest tremor. Asymmetric presentation is typical. The importance of differentiating between rigidity and spasticity and the significance of asymmetric symptoms for diagnosis were emphasized.
Non-Motor Features of Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease can affect various body systems, including autonomic nervous system resulting in symptoms like constipation, urinary issues, orthostatic hypotension, and drooling. Sleep disturbances, psychiatric issues like anxiety and depression, were also highlighted.
Pharmacological Treatment of Parkinson's Disease
Treatment for Parkinson's disease includes dopamine replacement therapy like levodopa-carbidopa, dopamine agonists such as pramipexole, and medications that decrease dopamine breakdown like entacapone. Individualized medication selection based on patient response and symptoms was emphasized.
Differential Diagnosis of Tremor
Distinction between rest and action tremor types like essential tremor, enhanced physiological tremor, and dystonic tremor was discussed. Characteristics and treatments for each tremor type, including the role of ferritin levels and iron supplementation in restless leg syndrome, were outlined.