  
{"id":11177,"date":"2024-05-03T12:00:49","date_gmt":"2024-05-03T12:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.diginerve.com\/?p=11177"},"modified":"2025-01-15T11:45:15","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T11:45:15","slug":"what-is-parkinsons-disease-a-deep-dive-for-medical-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.diginerve.com\/blogs\/what-is-parkinsons-disease-a-deep-dive-for-medical-students\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Parkinson&#8217;s Disease? A Deep Dive for Medical Students"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>We will take a deep dive into\u00a0Parkinson&#8217;s\u00a0disease in this blog, covering everything from its fundamentals to clinical symptoms, classifications, clinical diagnosis, risk factors, and potential therapies.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is\u00a0Parkinson&#8217;s\u00a0disease?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In 1817,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4077538\/\">\u00a0Parkinson&#8217;s\u00a0disease\u00a0<\/a>was initially described\u00a0by Dr. James Parkinson as\u00a0\u201cshaking Palsy\u201d.\u00a0Parkinson&#8217;s<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK470193\/#:~:text=PD%20affects%201%20to%202,common%20in%20men%20than%20women.\">\u00a0disease<\/a>\u00a0is one of the most common neurological conditions and affects around 1% of people over the age of 60 years. It is a progressive, chronic neurodegenerative disorder that causes both motor and non-motor symptoms.<\/p>\n<p>This neurological condition has clinical effects on patients, families, and caregivers due to its degenerative impact on movement or slow movement and stiff muscle control. The death of striatal dopaminergic neurons is responsible for motor symptoms of\u00a0Parkinson&#8217;s\u00a0disease, but the presence of non-motor symptoms also suggests neuronal loss in non-dopaminergic sites.<\/p>\n<p>The term parkinsonism describes a group of clinical symptoms that are considered cardinal signs related to motor function or clinical features of\u00a0Parkinson&#8217;s\u00a0disease, including bradykinesia, resting tremor, and muscle stiffness.<\/p>\n<p>The condition Parkinson disease is associated with Lewy bodies and degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia Nigra. For\u00a0normal\u00a0movements, brain cells require dopamine\u00a0which\u00a0sends activation signals for fine-tune movements, due\u00a0to lack in dopamine\u00a0levels\u00a0it causes slowness of movements. Though it develops gradually, the condition is progressive.<\/p>\n<p>Frequent tremors could potentially link to rigidity and bradykinesia\u00a0are\u00a0initial common clinical symptoms of PD. One of the\u00a0major\u00a0negative influences of Parkinson&#8217;s disease is Postural instability and involuntary movements\u00a0which\u00a0affect the quality of life and usually occur in later stages of the disease.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is the pathophysiology of\u00a0Parkinson&#8217;s\u00a0Disease?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The pathophysiology of PD involves\u00a0a combination includes\u00a0a combination of environmental factors, toxins, genetic mutations, and mitochondrial dysfunction leading to neurodegeneration. The key factors\u00a0involve\u00a0the formation of Lewy neurites, impaired protein degradation, and the progressive loss of dopamine neurons in the\u00a0brain&#8217;s\u00a0substantia nigra. Understanding this mechanism is\u00a0important\u00a0for developing effective symptomatic treatment to slow the disease progression.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-11178 size-large lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.diginerve.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/blog-1024x847.jpg\" alt=\"Pathophysiology of Parkinson's Disease\" width=\"1024\" height=\"847\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.diginerve.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/blog-1024x847.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.diginerve.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/blog-300x248.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.diginerve.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/blog-768x635.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.diginerve.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/blog-150x124.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.diginerve.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/blog.jpg 726w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/847;\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>What are the warning signs and symptoms of\u00a0Parkinson&#8217;s\u00a0disease?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Primary Parkinson&#8217;s Disease Symptoms\n<ul>\n<li>Parkinson&#8217;s disease\u00a0is characterized\u00a0by tremor, which typically starts in the hand and affect the foot or jaw in the initial phase. This tremor exhibits a rhythmic back-and-forth\u00a0motion\u00a0action involving the thumb and fingers, like pill-rolling. Tremor typically diminishes during\u00a0sleep,\u00a0but\u00a0visible\u00a0when the hand is at rest or under stress.<\/li>\n<li>Most patients with Parkinson&#8217;s disease have muscle rigidity\u00a0which\u00a0is characterized\u00a0by muscle stiffness or resistance in movement. This stiffness and or resistive movement results in restricted mobility.\u00a0In this,\u00a0the affected\u00a0person\u2019s\u00a0arm exhibits jerky movements known as\u00a0\u2018cogwheel\u2019\u00a0stiffness.<\/li>\n<li>Bradykinesia\u00a0refers to\u00a0a movement disorder that results in slowness of movement for both spontaneous and automatic movements,\u00a0which affects\u00a0daily living activities.\u00a0Even simple activities\u00a0take a lot of\u00a0effort\u00a0such\u00a0as washing or dressing, which may not require\u00a0lots of\u00a0time and effort.\u00a0Furthermore, patients with bradykinesia exhibit a\u00a0reduction in\u00a0facial expression, commonly known as\u00a0\u2018masked face\u2019.<\/li>\n<li>Postural instability and involuntary movements present\u00a0as changes in posture\u00a0and poor balance\u00a0which\u00a0results in increasing\u00a0falls.<\/li>\n<li>In children, speech may be lacking or rapid, and slurring of words or hesitancy before speaking are usual signs of Parkinson&#8217;s disease\u00a0and\u00a0it\u00a0also includes difficulty in writing small words.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Motor symptoms related to Parkinson&#8217;s disease:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Slowed Movement<\/li>\n<li>Tremor while the muscle is at rest<\/li>\n<li>Stiffness or Rigidity<\/li>\n<li>Walking gait and Unstable posture<\/li>\n<li>Reduced control of facial muscles or features<\/li>\n<li>Drooling due to loss of facial muscle control or swallowing dysfunction<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Non-motor symptoms related to Parkinson&#8217;s disease:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Appear at the earliest stage of disease<\/li>\n<li>Autonomic nervous system symptoms: Dry mouth, Urinary incontinence, orthostatic hypotension, mental health disorders such as depression, and\u00a0sexual dysfunction.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Non-motor symptoms may include a wide range of psychological symptoms\u00a0sleep\u00a0disorder, impulse control disorder, or behavior disorder\u00a0which\u00a0includes\u00a0rapid eye movements or restless legs syndrome.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What are the stages of\u00a0Parkinson&#8217;s\u00a0disease?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>There are five stages to explain\u00a0the progress of PD\u00a0which\u00a0is\u00a0characterized\u00a0by different symptoms and challenges.\u00a0These stages vary from person to person, and there are generally five main stages:<\/p>\n<p>Early Stage (Stage 1)<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Tremor or other movement may be present on the side of the body.<\/li>\n<li>Change in posture and facial expressions.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Stage 2 (Moderate\u00a0Parkinson&#8217;s\u00a0Disease)<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>In the moderate stage,\u00a0may\u00a0affect both sides of the body.<\/li>\n<li>Tremor, stiffness, and slowness of movement worsen.<\/li>\n<li>Balance and walking become\u00a0more difficult.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Stage 3 (Mid-Stage\u00a0Parkinson&#8217;s\u00a0Disease)<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Difficult\u00a0to maintain balance and coordination.<\/li>\n<li>Daily living activities become more challenging or may need\u00a0assistance.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Stage 4 (Advanced\u00a0Parkinson&#8217;s\u00a0Disease)<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Movement may be severely impaired, and\u00a0walking and standing may be difficult without assistance.<\/li>\n<li>Tremors and rigidity are present,\u00a0and\u00a0assistance\u00a0is often required.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Stage 5 (Parkinson\u2019s\u00a0Disease with End-Stage Complications)<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>This\u00a0is a severe stage of\u00a0Parkinson&#8217;s\u00a0disease. Individuals may be unable to walk or stand or may be bedridden\/wheelchair bound.<\/li>\n<li>Cognitive and psychiatric symptoms may present\u00a0such\u00a0as dementia or hallucinations.<\/li>\n<li>Difficulty in swallowing or severe complications such as infections may occur.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>What are the different clinical features of\u00a0Parkinson&#8217;s\u00a0disease?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Parkinson&#8217;s disease\u00a0is commonly divided into many categories, each with the type of characteristics and manifestations. The following are some different types of Parkinson&#8217;s disease:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Idiopathic\u00a0Parkinson&#8217;s disease: This is the most common type of Parkinson&#8217;s disease with no recognized etiology. It typically represents motor symptoms like tremors, bradykinesia, postural instability, and rigidity.<\/li>\n<li>Parkinsonism: It is a group of neurologic disorders that share similar characteristics with Parkinson&#8217;s disease, but the causes are different.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Examples include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Drug-induced Parkinsonism: Caused by certain medications, such as antipsychotics or antiemetics.<\/li>\n<li>Vascular Parkinsonism: Caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, often due to small strokes or cerebrovascular disease.<\/li>\n<li>Atypical Parkinsonism includes another different\u00a0type\u00a0of neurologic disorders with Parkinson like common symptoms of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD), and Multiple System Atrophy (MSA).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li>Young-onset\u00a0Parkinson&#8217;s disease: PD occurs before the age of 50, it\u00a0is referred\u00a0to as young-onset. In young-onset\u00a0Parkinson&#8217;s\u00a0disease,\u00a0may progress differently than typical PD and can present with various difficulties.<\/li>\n<li>Secondary Parkinsonism: This type of Parkinson\u2019s disease\u00a0includes other conditions or factors, such as encephalitis, traumatic brain injury, or exposure to toxins.<\/li>\n<li>Genetic types of Parkinson&#8217;s disease: Parkinson&#8217;s disease can have a genetic factor.\u00a0Certainly, gene abnormalities are associated with an increased chance that the condition may occur. Most Parkinson disease cases are sporadic with no genetic cause, but genetics play a role in some cases.<\/li>\n<li>In some cases, Parkinson disease can have a genetic component. Certain gene mutations are associated with an increased risk of developing Parkinson&#8217;s, and familial forms of the disease may occur. While genetics play a role in some cases, most Parkinson&#8217;s cases are sporadic, with no known genetic cause.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>What is\u00a0Parkinson&#8217;s\u00a0disease differential diagnosis and early detection?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A clinical approach is involved to diagnose Parkinson disease, in which a physical examination is to check the presence and absence of Parkinson disease signs &amp; symptoms through patient online or offline interviews with a detailed neurological examination.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>During the physical examination:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Cognitive skills are evaluated.<\/li>\n<li>Facial expressions are observed for abnormalities.<\/li>\n<li>Tremors in the face, hands, arms, or legs are noted.<\/li>\n<li>Presence of\u00a0muscle rigidity or stiffness in the arms, legs, torso, or shoulders\u00a0is assessed.<\/li>\n<li>Ability to rise from a chair without using arms is tested.<\/li>\n<li>Walking patterns and balance while standing are analyzed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Additionally,\u00a0neuroimaging techniques may be utilized:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examines the\u00a0brain&#8217;s\u00a0structure.<\/li>\n<li>DaTscan, an FDA-approved imaging test, detects dopamine function in the brain, aiding in distinguishing idiopathic Parkinson disease from other neurologic disorders. Uncertain Parkinsonism<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Note: In the early stages of Parkinson&#8217;s disease, a comprehensive evaluation by a movement disorder specialist is\u00a0important.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Differential Diagnosis:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Differential diagnosis depends on careful history, physical examination, progression of the disease, and symptomatic treatment.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Secondary\u00a0Parkinsonism includes multiple causes of parkinsonism\u00a0which\u00a0can differentiated through appropriate imaging, history, and physical examination.<\/li>\n<li>Lew body dementia includes motor symptoms with early onset of hallucinations and cognitive dysfunction\u00a0which\u00a0precede motor symptoms.<\/li>\n<li>Vascular parkinsonism includes Parkinson&#8217;s disease symptoms with vascular events such as cerebral stroke. Damage to the dopaminergic pathways can cause vascular parkinsonism and similar symptoms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>What are the main risk factors of Parkinson&#8217;s disease?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Parkinson&#8217;s disease\u00a0risk factors include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Age:\u00a0Parkinson&#8217;s disease\u00a0is uncommon in young adults, typically emerging in middle to late life, with the risk escalating with age. Young onset commonly occurs before 60 or older,\u00a0while it\u00a0is rare in younger people. Younger individuals with Parkinson disease may have different work, social and pharmaceutical side effects,\u00a0therefore\u00a0further precautions are needed.<\/li>\n<li>Heredity: Having a close family member with\u00a0Parkinson&#8217;s disease\u00a0heightens the likelihood of developing the condition. However, the risk remains relatively low unless several family members have Parkinson&#8217;s disease.<\/li>\n<li>Sex: Men exhibit a higher propensity for developing\u00a0Parkinson&#8217;s disease\u00a0compared to women.<\/li>\n<li>Post-traumatic brain injury: Head injuries increase the risk of Parkinson&#8217;s disease.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>What are the various\u00a0effective\u00a0treatment approaches for\u00a0Parkinson&#8217;s\u00a0disease?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Medication Management:<\/strong>\u00a0Most Parkinson&#8217;s disease patients ultimately require medication to alleviate their\u00a0motor symptoms. There\u00a0are different drug classes are\u00a0accessible for the treatment. The most effective and primary symptomatic therapy is Carbidopa\/Levodopa as an add-on treatment with numerous strengths and formulations. It\u00a0is frequently administered\u00a0alongside other medication classes\u00a0such\u00a0as\u00a0Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) Inhibitors, Dopamine Agonists, Monoamine Oxidase-B Inhibitors (MAO), and Anticholinergic agents.\u00a0Dopamine agonists and enzyme inhibitors stimulate\u00a0the production of dopamine in the brain\u00a0which\u00a0reduces\u00a0involuntary movements.\u00a0These drug therapy treatment plans are highly personalized for the patient and\u00a0are modified\u00a0over time in response to possible adverse effects and potential side effects. Scientists are exploring other ways to identify biomarkers for PD to slow down the disease process with more tailored treatment and for earlier diagnosis.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Surgical Treatment:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">\u00a0\u00a0Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS):<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>A surgical procedure approved by the FDA for over a decade. In deep brain stimulation\u00a0procedure, it generates electrical pulses and sends them to the brain\u00a0which\u00a0may reduce Parkinson&#8217;s disease symptoms.<\/li>\n<li>Neural stimulation in PD treatment involves four areas of the brain\u00a0which\u00a0are globus\u00a0pallidus interna, thalamus, subthalamic nucleus, and pedunculopontine nucleus.\u00a0DBS of the thalamic improves tremor\u00a0while\u00a0DBS of\u00a0the globus pallidus interna improves motor function.<\/li>\n<li>The insertion of an electrode into a specific brain region, typically the globus pallidus interna (GPI) or subthalamic nucleus (STN).<\/li>\n<li>Implants can be placed unilaterally or bilaterally as necessary.<\/li>\n<li>The pacemaker-like device is linked with electrodes beneath the skin in the chest.<\/li>\n<li>Suitable candidates demonstrate a robust response to\u00a0Levodopa,\u00a0without significant cognitive or psychiatric\u00a0impairments,\u00a0and minimal balance issues.<\/li>\n<li>Benefits include alleviating medication-resistant tremors and managing motor fluctuations, such as dyskinesia, throughout the day.<\/li>\n<li>Deep brain stimulation is primarily recommended for individuals with advanced\u00a0Parkinson&#8217;s\u00a0disease who experience motor fluctuations and medication-resistant symptoms. However, DBS does not cure\u00a0Parkinson&#8217;s\u00a0disease but can help alleviate\u00a0certain\u00a0motor symptoms. DBS can be an effective treatment for treating the Subthalamic nucleus or globus pallidus interna with primary motor symptoms as clinical features in Parkinson&#8217;s disease.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>What is the different therapy approaches for\u00a0Parkinson&#8217;s\u00a0disease?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>There are different therapy approaches for PD which include physical therapy, occupational therapy, rehabilitation therapy for lifestyle modifications, and help in daily living activities:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Physical Therapy:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Physical therapy mainly focuses on improving range of motion, muscle strength, balance, or overall physical mobility in people with PD.<\/li>\n<li>With physical therapy, the exercises and activities help to address specific motor symptoms such as gait disturbances and muscle rigidity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Occupational Therapy:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Occupational therapy mainly focuses on the\u00a0patient&#8217;s\u00a0activities of daily living (ADLs) to enhance and maintain independence.<\/li>\n<li>Occupational therapists provide a strategic approach for patients to overcome challenges related to fine motor skills, gross motor skills, or self-care tasks.<\/li>\n<li>Assistive modalities may also be recommended\u00a0to support functional independence at home and in the community.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Rehabilitation Therapy:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Regular exercise has been shown to have numerous benefits for individuals with Parkinson&#8217;s disease.\u00a0It can improve balance, flexibility, and muscle strength, as well as\u00a0enhance overall quality of life.<\/li>\n<li>Speech therapy or voice exercises can help individuals overcome speech difficulties, such as soft\u00a0speech\u00a0or slurred speech.<\/li>\n<li>Eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins may help manage symptoms and improve overall well-being.<\/li>\n<li>Support from family, friends, and support groups can provide emotional and practical support and reduce feelings of isolation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Multidisciplinary Care for Parkinson&#8217;s disease:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>A comprehensive approach involving various healthcare professionals such as rehabilitation specialists, neurologists, nurses, social workers, and other providers.<\/li>\n<li>Recommended for addressing the multifaceted needs of Parkinson&#8217;s disease (PD) patients effectively.<\/li>\n<li>Collaboration ensures customized treatment plans\u00a0that\u00a0are coordinated\u00a0across different aspects of care.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Parkinsonism is a complex and evolving field, to\u00a0stay informed about the latest developments or for new advances in treatment plans,\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0forget to read the most recent\u00a0books,\u00a0and articles and go to conferences or seminars on the subject will contribute to your effectiveness as a future health care professional.<\/p>\n<p>Understanding complex neurological conditions like Parkinson\u2019s Disease requires a strong grasp of both foundational and clinical knowledge. DigiOne and DigiNEET provide essential support in mastering this subject. DigiOne covers the basics of Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology, which are crucial for understanding the pathophysiology of Parkinson&#8217;s disease. Through expert-led video lectures, case studies, and interactive quizzes, students can grasp the core concepts effectively. Meanwhile, DigiNEET offers advanced clinical content and exam-focused MCQs related to neurological disorders, including Parkinson\u2019s disease, helping students prepare for exams like NEET PG or INI-CET with confidence.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Q1. What are the latest advancements in Parkinson&#8217;s disease treatment?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Ans.<\/strong> Focused ultrasound thalamotomy is a non-invasive treatment approach for tremors in which ultrasound waves create a lesion in a specific area of the brain called the thalamus. It has shown visible results in reducing tremors in people with Parkinson&#8217;s disease.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q2. How to differentiate between Parkinson&#8217;s disease from Vascular parkinsonism?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Ans. <\/strong>Parkinson&#8217;s\u00a0is caused by gradual loss of nerve cells,\u00a0and\u00a0it is not progressive\u00a0whereas\u00a0vascular parkinsonism is caused by one or more small strokes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q3. What is the novel biomarker for Parkinson&#8217;s disease?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Ans. <\/strong>There are several novel biomarkers for\u00a0Parkinson&#8217;s\u00a0disease that are under investigation,\u00a0but\u00a0the\u00a0one promising biomarker is alpha-synuclein, a protein found in Lewy bodies that\u00a0is closely linked\u00a0to the pathology of PD.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We will take a deep dive into\u00a0Parkinson&#8217;s\u00a0disease in this blog, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":10836,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11177","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What is Parkinson&#039;s Disease? A Deep Dive for Medical Students<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"We will take a deep dive into Parkinson&#039;s disease in this blog, covering everything from its fundamentals to clinical symptoms\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.diginerve.com\/blogs\/what-is-parkinsons-disease-a-deep-dive-for-medical-students\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What is Parkinson&#039;s Disease? 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