BRAIN

What you need to know about idiopathic Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease comes in three different types: idiopathic Parkinson's disease, neuroleptic Parkinson's syndrome and atypical Parkinson's syndrome. Parkinson's disease differs from the two Parkinson's syndromes in that its causes are not well known. This is the reason why it has been given this name. However, IPM or idiopathic Parkinson's disease is the most common.

Characteristics of idiopathic Parkinson's disease

IPM differs from other Parkinson's syndromes by a few clinical signs. Idiopathic Parkinson's symptoms are essentially unilateral if they are symmetrical for the other syndromes. The damage is more pronounced on the peripheral neurons for IPM if it is the axial damage which is more important in the others. Axial damage occurs fairly early for the other syndromes, but is delayed for MPI. Otherwise, Levodopa is very effective in treating IBD if L-Dopa does not bring the expected results for the other syndromes. Motor disorders are the main manifestations of IPM. These are resting tremors, unilateral rigidity or shuffling, slow movements. Poor coordination, unstable posture, behavioural and mood disorders may occur.

Victims of idiopathic Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's disease. It affects men more than women. The average age of patients who come for the first time is 59. But rare genetic forms can affect very young people. Many new cases of idiopathic Parkinson's are announced every year. Heredity, the environment and pathologies specific to ageing favour its appearance. With 5% of the genetic form of the disease in people under 45 years of age, we can say that it is not really a hereditary disease. It is environmental factors associated with a genetic predisposition that trigger the disease. People who have been exposed for a long time to toxic products such as heavy metals or pesticides are most affected.

Other Parkinson's syndromes

Parkinson's syndromes have the same symptoms as Parkinson's disease. They are caused by neuroleptics and certain drugs, vascular diseases, brain damage or brain disorders. In this sense they are different from idiopathic Parkinson's. There are many of them, but here are a few.

Parkinson's syndrome due to neuroleptics

A reversible Parkinson's syndrome can occur when treating an individual's psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. Some neuroleptics block the action of dopamine, the neurotransmitter that promotes communication within the nervous system. It should be noted that once treatment is complete, the symptoms disappear.

The progressive supranuclear paralysis

Known as Steele-Richardson-Olszewski disease, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a disease that affects different areas of the brain. It is an overproduction of the protein called tau in the brain that causes this disease. It occurs around the age of sixty and has the same symptoms as idiopathic Parkinson's except for the tremors. It affects the outer layer of the brain. The main disorders it causes are:

Treatment of idiopathic Parkinson's disease

It consists of both drug and non-drug treatments.

Drug treatment

Curing idiopathic Parkinson's is simply impossible. No one has yet managed to reduce or stop the process of destroying the neurons responsible for the production of dopamine. Taking medication just brings relief and an improvement in the patient's condition.

Non-drug treatment

It consists of functional re-education. A healthy lifestyle can also prevent the onset of idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Psychotherapy is another option to consider. It is essential that the patient accepts his condition in order to live with his disease. If not, physiotherapy can be beneficial for the patient. It allows the patient to maintain his or her autonomy as much as possible.