ECPI PATHOPHYSIOLOGYChapter 10

Parkinson disease - -Decrease in neurotransmitter dopamine leading to characteristic symptoms of Parkinson's Disease. - Lack of Dopamine Pathophysiology of Parkinson's Disease - -degeneration of the pathway between mid brain and fore brain, which leads to a reduction in the neurotransmitter dopamine. -Neurotransmitters serve to allow impulses to travel across the synaptic cleft. What prevents nerve impulse from leaping over synaptic cleft to reach target effector organ such as a muscle in Parkinson's Disease? - lack of dopamine Clinical Manifestations of Parkinson's Disease - -Tremor -Rigidity -Bradykinesia -Postural instability -Slow movements -stooped posture with unsteady shuffling gait -resting tremors -rigidity of muscles leads to jerky movements