Types of parkinsonism
Parkinsonism refers to a group of symptoms- including rigidity, slowness of movement, tremor- rather than a specific diagnosis. There are additional types of Parkinsonism that share similar symptoms as PD, but are caused by other underlying conditions.
Idiopathic Parkinson
The most common type of Parkinson's disease. Idiopathic means "unknown cause." It primarily affects movement but can cause non-motor symptoms as well.
Atypical Parkinsonism
A condition sharing similar symptoms as Parkinson's disease and can be sporadic or familial. Additional symptoms of this condition include the inability to look up and down and early postural instability. With atypical parkinsonism, medications may not respond the same to the common prescribed medications as Parkinson's disease.
Common atypical parkinsonism disorders include:
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Dementia with Lewy Bodies: Features of parkinsonism appear alongside early-onset dementia
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Corticobasal Syndrome (CBS): The rarest form causing stiffness on one side of the body, trouble with performing familiar tasks, and unusual muscle tightness causing odd postures
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Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP): People often have trouble with balance, eye movement, and swallowing.
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Multiple system atrophy (MSA): Affects involuntary movements like bladder control and blood pressure alongside balance and control of movement.
Secondary parkinsonism
Unlike classic Parkinson's disease, secondary parkinsonism is triggered by an underlying health condition or an external (outside) influence, leading to similar motor symptoms.
Common secondary parkinsonism:
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Vascular parkinsonism: This type of parkinsonism is caused by limited blood supply to parts of the brain that control movement
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Drug-induced: It mimics Parkinson's disease, however, it is caused by drugs (prescribed or recreational) interfering with the production or use of dopamine
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Normal-pressure hydrocephalus: It occurs when there is too much fluid build up in the brain, putting pressure on areas that control walking and bladder function
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Others:
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Post-traumatic parkinsonism
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Toxin-induced parkinsonism
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Postencephalitic parkinsonism
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