A Parkinson’s Glossary D - I

D

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)A surgical procedure that is being used with considerable success to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. It involved implanting permanent electrodes in the brain so that continuous pulses of electricity can stimulate the various areas of the brain into activity. The electrodes are connected to a transmitter that is implanted in the wall of the chest, like a pacemaker.

DelusionsA symptom of dementia which often accompanies later stages of Parkinson’s disease. Delusions are erroneous and sometimes bizarre beliefs in the patient which cannot be changed by rational argument.

DementiaDementia is a late stage symptom of Parkinson’s disease. It is characterized by confusion, losing touch with reality, loss of time awareness and often poor impulse control and rapid, unexpected mood changes.

DopamineDopamine is a chemical produced by the brain that helps the brain to communicate messages between nerve cells. It helps control actions and movement of the muscles, both voluntary and involuntary. The cause of Parkinson’s disease symptoms is the lack of dopamine which results as the cells that produce dopamine in the brain die off.

Dopamine AgonistOne of the primary classes of medications used to treat early stages of Parkinson’s disease. Dopamine agonists act like dopamine in the body, and stimulate the nerve cells in the same way that dopamine does. This tricks the body into believing that the brain is producing dopamine and often relieves the tremors and rigidity that accompany Parkinson’s disease.

Dopamine Receptor An area in nerve cells that is stimulated by dopamine and triggers the nerve’s response to the stimulation.

DopaminergicDrug or chemical reaction related to dopamine

DysarthriaDysarthia is a symptom that is usually associated with advanced Parksinson’s disease. It occurs when the disease affects the muscles associated with speech, and is manifested in slurred or impaired speech.

Disequilibrium.Poor balance or unsteadiness. Disequilibrium is a common symptom of Parkinson’s disease that is related to the characteristic posture and balance problems.

DyskinesiaDyskenesia is a common side effect of the medications used to treat Parkinson’s disease. It refers to abnormal involuntary movements which result from the abnormal transmission of messages to the nerve cells. These movements are part of the reason that Parkinson’s disease is often embarrassing to those who have it. \

DysphagiaOne of the symptoms associated with later stages of Parkinson’s disease, dysphagia is difficulty swallowing due to the muscles that control swallowing being affected by the disease

DystoniaAnother characteristic of Parkinson’s disease, dystonia is tightness, spasm or cramping of muscles. It may also refer to bizarre twisting or posturing of muscles affected by Parkinson’s.

E

End-of-dose-failureLevodopa (L-dopa) is one of the commonly used medications to treat Parkinson’s disease. One of the problems related to L-dopa is that it eventually loses its effectiveness. One of the first signs that a does of L-dopa is losing its effectiveness is ‘end-of-dose-failure’, when the medication wears off before the next dose is due.

EnzymeA chemical or protein that is found in the body whose job it is to speed up a biological reaction

Essential TremorA term used to describe a tremor that occurs when you are doing something such as writing or picking something up

EtiologyEtiology is a medical term that means ‘how you get the disease’. Parkinson’s disease is of unknown etiology.

F

FestinationA term used to describe a walking gait that is peculiar to patients with Parkinson’s disease. It is characterized by small, slow shuffling steps.

FreezingGetting ‘stuck’ in the middle of a movement. Freezing is one of the five primary symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and generally doesn’t appear until the later stages of the disease.