Akathesia: restlessness, somewhat relieved by standing or moving

 

Akinesia: not moving; PWP blink, swallow and move lessAnhedonia: the inability to enjoy/experience pleasure

 

Bradykinesia: gradual loss of spontaneous movement (often the most disabling of symptoms)

 

Colinesterase inhibitors: increase acetylcholine by preventing the enzyme from breaking it down. May help memory/concentration/mood (found in Aricept and Excelon)

 

Dopamine: deficiency in PWP chemical messenger that transmits impulses from one nerve cell to another

 

Dopamine agonist: given in combination with Levadopa; stimulates dopamine terminals

 

Dyskinesias: involuntary movements from long-term high doses of levodopaFestination: small, quick forward steps

 

Hypotension: low blood pressure, low tone in blood vessels allowing blood to rush away from the brain when lifting the head suddenly (cause of fainting)

 

Parkinsonism: condition with tremor, rigidity, postural instability, bradykinesia

 

Retropulsion: stepping backwards if bumped from the front (often seen in PWP who lean backwards because of balance problems

 

Rigidity: stiff muscles; obvious when another person can't move the arm of a PWP

 

Substantia Nigra: (literally Black Substance) movement control center in the brain where loss of nerve cells trigger symptoms of PD (cells are dark)

 

Wearing Off Effect: tendency for levadopa (after long-term use) for each dose to be effective for shorter periods.