Parkinson's disease
Background
- Extrapyramidal movement disorder associated with reduced dopaminergic receptors in substantia nigra
- Most common presentations to the ED[1]:
- Infectious ~32%
- Trauma ~28%
- Cardiovascular ~15%
- Cerebrovascular ~12%
- GI ~7%
- Electrolyte abnormalities 6%
Clinical Features
TRAP mnemonic
- Tremor (resting)
- Initially is unilateral tremor of upper extremity, especially finger and thumb ("pill rolling")
- Dissipates when intentional movement is performed
- Rigidity (cogwheel)
- Elicited by causing passive movement of limb through full range of motion
- Akinesia
- Slowness of voluntary movement
- Posture/equilibrium impairment
- Impaired ability to turn or change direction while walking
Differential Diagnosis
Dementia
- Degenerative
- Alzheimer's disease
- Huntington's disease
- Parkinson's disease
- Vascular
- Multiple infarcts
- Hypoperfusion (MI, profound hypotension)
- Subdural hematoma
- SAH
- Infectious
- Meningitis (sequelae of bacterial, fungal, or tubercular)
- Neurosyphilis
- Viral encephalitis (HSV, HIV), Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
- Inflammatory
- SLE
- Demyelinating disease (e.g. multiple sclerosis)
- Neoplastic
- Primary brain tumor / metastatic disease
- Carcinomatous meningitis
- Paraneoplastic syndromes
- Traumatic
- Toxic
- ETOH
- Meds (anticholinergics, polypharmacy)
- Metabolic
- Psychiatric
- Depression (pseudodementia)
- Hydrocephalic
- Normal pressure hydrocephalus (communicating hydrocephalus)
- Noncommunicating hydrocephalus
Movement Disorders and Other Abnormal Contractions
- Chorea
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- Serotonin syndrome
- Hypocalcemia
- Strychnine toxicity
- Acute tetanus
- Parkinson's disease
- Mono amine oxidase inhibitor toxicity
- Phencyclidine toxicity
- Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis
- Huntington disease
- Wilson's disease
- CVA
- Schizophrenia
- Psychotic agitation
- Dementia
- Lewy body dementia
- Vascular dementia
- Frontotemporal dementia
- Dystonic reaction
- Extrapyramidal reaction
- Torticollis
- Idiopathic movement disorder
Evaluation
- Consider mini mental status exam
Management
Initiation of or modifications in medications should be made in conjunction with neurologist
- Dopamine agonists
- Levodopa and carbidopa (peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor) = gold standard
- Pramipexole (Mirapex)
- Ropinirole (Requip)
- Anticholinergics
- Benztropine - caution in acute psychosis
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitor - blocks DA reuptake
- Selegiline (Eldepryl)
- Rasagiline (Azilect)
- Agents for psychotic symptoms, hallucinations
- Pimavanserin (Nuplazaid) - serotonin inverse agonist (not anti-dopamine), FDA approved in 2016[2]
- Avoid antidopaminergic drugs if possible (expect worsening motor symptoms), but commonly used agents:
- Others:
- Rivastigmine
- Citalopram in depressed patients
Disposition
- Usually treated as outpatient
- Admit according to presentation
See Also
References
- ↑ Guneysel O et al. Parkinson’s disease and the frequent reasons for emergency admission. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2008 Aug; 4(4): 711–714.
- ↑ FDA approves first drug to treat hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease. April 29, 2016. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm498442.htm.