Parkinson's Glossary -- Link to .pdf file  

Terms

• Alpha-synuclein -- the alpha-synuclein protein in the brain misfolds in Parkinson's 

• Apathy -- loss of interest,, motivation or emotional response

• Bradykinesia -- slowness of movement 

• Carbidopa -- moderates the breakdown of levodopa  outside the brain

• Deep brain stimulation -- electrodes are placed in the brain to treat movement disorders associated with PD

• Dystonia --  involuntary muscle contraction 

• Dyskinesia -- involuntary movements, the result of taking medications, not a direct symptom of PD

• Dysphonia -- difficulty speaking 

• Dopamine -- a neurotransmitter impacted by PDs -- article -- The Science of PD

• Levodopa -- primary treatment for PD, the brain converts it to dopamine

• Parkinson's -- a neurodegenerative disease -- article -- The Science of PD 

• UPDRS -- Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale 

Abbreviations

• C/L -- carbidopa/levodopa -- the "standard" medication for PD 

•  DA : dopamine agonist

• DBS -- deep brain stimulation 

• DX -- diagnosis

• MDS -- movement disorder specialist  

• NOH -- Neurogenic orthostatic hypotension

• PD -- Parkinson's disease 

• PWP -- person with Parkinson's 

• PD -- Parkinson's disease

• PDD -- Parkinson's disease dementia

• PWP -- person with Parkinson's

• TRAP -- Tremor,rigidity,akinesia,postural instability

• YOPD -- Young onset Parkinson's disease

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