parkinsonism

parkinsonism
parkinsonism parkinsonism n. A degenerative nervous disorder occurring mostly in persons older than 60 years, characterized in advanced stages by rhythmic muscular tremors, especially in the hands, and by rigidity of movement, a drooping posture, slow speech, and a masklike facial expression; the term designates a set of symptoms, and the underlying disease causing these symptoms is most commonly {Parkinson's disease}. Parkinsonism results from a deficiency in the neurotransmitter dopamine caused by degeneration of the cells producing that agent. It can be mitigated by chemotherapy with agents such as levodopa (3-hydroxy-L-tyrosine).

Syn: paralysis agitans, Parkinson's disease, Parkinson's syndrome, Parkinson's, shaking palsy. [WordNet 1.5]

A Mayo Clinic study finds parkinsonism, a group of ailments that includes Parkinson's disease, is three times more common than previously thought and men are more likely to develop it than women. The study, published Tuesday in the journal Neurology, found the lifetime risk of developing parkinsonism is 7.5 percent, three times higher than previously thought. --UPI (Jan. 2, 1999) [PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • parkinsonism — PARKINSONÍSM s.n. (med.) Denumire generică pentru sindroame similare cu parkinsonul. – Din fr. parkinsonisme. Trimis de valeriu, 03.02.2004. Sursa: DEX 98  parkinsonísm s. n. Trimis de siveco, 10.08.2004. Sursa: Dicţionar ortografic … …   Dicționar Român

  • parkinsonism — [pär′kin sən iz΄əm] n. [see PARKINSON S DISEASE] 1. any of various brain disorders characterized by muscle rigidity as in Parkinson s disease, with or without tremor 2. PARKINSON S DISEASE parkinsonian adj …   English World dictionary

  • parkinsonism — /pahr kin seuh niz euhm/, n. Pathol. a common neurologic disease believed to be caused by deterioration of the brain cells that produce dopamine, occurring primarily after the age of 60, characterized by tremors, esp. of the fingers and hands,… …   Universalium

  • Parkinsonism — Infobox Disease Name = PAGENAME Caption = DiseasesDB = 24212 ICD10 = ICD9 = ICDO = OMIM = MedlinePlus = 000759 eMedicineSubj = eMedicineTopic = MeshID = Parkinsonism (also known as Parkinson s syndrome, atypical Parkinson s, or secondary… …   Wikipedia

  • parkinsonism — akinetic rigid syndrome; n. a clinical picture characterized by tremor, rigidity, slowness of movement, and postural instability. The commonest symptom is tremor, which often affects one hand, spreading first to the leg on the same side and then… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • parkinsonism — 1. A neurologic syndrome usually resulting from deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine as the consequence of degenerative, vascular, or inflammatory changes in the basal ganglia; characterized by rhythmic muscular tremors, rigidity …   Medical dictionary

  • parkinsonism — Palsy Pal sy, n.; pl. {Palsies}. [OE. palesie, parlesy, OF. paralesie, F. paralysie, L. paralysis. See {Paralysis}.] (Med.) Paralysis, complete or partial. See {Paralysis}. One sick of the palsy. Mark ii. 3. [1913 Webster] {Bell s palsy},… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • parkinsonism — /ˈpakənsənɪzəm/ (say pahkuhnsuhnizuhm) noun a condition involving a combination of any of the types of changes in movement seen in Parkinson s disease, as tremor, difficulty with walking, lack of coordination, etc. Also, Parkinsonism …  

  • Parkinsonism — Parkinson s disease ► NOUN ▪ a progressive disease of the brain and nervous system marked by involuntary trembling, muscular rigidity, and slow, imprecise movement. DERIVATIVES Parkinsonism noun. ORIGIN named after the English surgeon James… …   English terms dictionary

  • Parkinsonism: Neuroleptic-Induced —    Parkinsonism is a movement disorder involving muscle rigidity, akinesia, and tremor first described in 1817 by the English physician James Parkinson (1755–1824) in his Essay on the Shaking Palsy. In 1954, two Swiss psychiatrists at different… …   Historical dictionary of Psychiatry

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