Parkinson's from AZ
Technical terms explained quickly
What was it like when I got my diagnosis? Home as quickly as possible, started the computer and Googled what it took. I still get dizzy today when I think of the flood of terms that completely occupied my cerebrum in a very short time. It took days, if not weeks, to cut a clearing in the jungle of technical terms.
Incidentally, the thematic "clutter" on the World Wide Web was the main motivation for the creation of the Parkinson's Journal. If I've been struggling to scrape together valuable information, at least the next candidates for Parkinson's black hole should have it a little easier. Admittedly, not an easy task for a one-man show, but Rome isn't either... - well, you know 😉.
So be it, the next phase of construction has been completed and the Parkinson Journal has been given a glossary. Not a medical lexicon where you can't understand the explanation, but a collection of terms that were a constant companion to me from an early age. If you miss any terms, just send me a message, I'll be happy to complete the glossary (juergen.zender@parkinson-journal.de)
Have fun gaining new knowledge and stay active!
| Acetylcholine | Important messenger substance (see also transmitter) in the brain |
| Alpha synuclein | Protein building block. Alpha synuclein is a normal part of nerve cells. In Parkinson's patients, alpha synuclein is deposited in the brain (= Lewy bodies). The connection with Parkinson's disease is currently being intensively researched |
| Akinesia, akinesia | Immobility, is often confused with -> bradykinesia and rigor or understood as their generic term. |
| Akinetic crisis | Sudden worsening of movement disorders in Parkinson's disease. An akinetic crisis can result in complete inability to move. |
| Akinetic-rigid type | Parkinson's disease in which slowing of movement (akinesia) and muscle stiffness (rigidity) dominate. Not all people with Parkinson's disease necessarily have motor disorders. see also "Overview of Parkinson's Symptoms" |
| anesthesia | During anesthesia, individual areas of the body or the entire body become insensitive Pain . |
| Anticholinergics | Group of Parkinson's drugs used to treat disease Parkinson are effective; Numerous side effects are problematic. So when taking Anticholinergics For example, dry mouth, bladder dysfunction, gastrointestinal problems (constipation) or memory disorders occur |
| Anticoagulation | Under Anticoagulation refers to the administration of drugs to inhibit blood clotting. This means that these drugs (anticoagulants) can prevent the formation of a clot (thrombus) in blood vessels via a wide variety of mechanisms. In connection with Parkinson's, interactions with the standard preparation for anticoagulation "Marcumar" should always be taken into account. If necessary, anticoagulation is also an exclusion criterion for ->Deep brain stimulation |
| Equivalency type | Parkinson's disease, in which the three main symptoms of slowing movement (akinesia), muscle stiffness (rigor) and tremors (tremor) are roughly equally pronounced in resting situations. Usually, however, one half of the body is more affected than the other. |
| Autonomous nervous system | The autonomic or autonomic nervous system monitors and controls areas such as cardiovascular functions, breathing, digestion and reproduction. Unlike the central and peripheral nervous system, i.e. the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves, we cannot consciously influence the autonomic nervous system. This is why one speaks of the autonomic nervous system |
| Bradykinesia, bradykinesia | Bradykinesia is the impoverishment and slowing down of sequences of movements that can affect all parts of the body. Expressions of a bradykinesia are, e.g.
Restrictions of facial expressions, disturbance of the voice, altered writing, disturbance in arm movement, disturbance of the gait, disturbance of the posture |
| Gaze palsy |
Eye palsy is a neurological examination in which the patient should hold their head straight ahead and follow the doctor's finger in all directions with their eyes. This enables the neurologist to determine the mobility of the eyes. |
| Bradyphrenia |
As a Bradyphrenia This is the term used to describe the slowing down of mental functions in the context of organic brain processes. The content of thought is not impaired, which is why it is also referred to as pseudodementia. In addition to Parkinson's disease, it also occurs in dementia and depression. |
| Chronic | Long-lasting |
| Computed tomography (CT) | A certain type of X-ray examination that is used to create a three-dimensional image. Parkinson's disease cannot be recognized with it, which is why it is used almost exclusively for differential diagnosis |
| COMT inhibitors | Comt-Inhibitors are similar in their effect to the MAO-BInhibitors. They increase the amount of available dopamine in the brain by stopping dopamine breakdown by an enzyme called catechol-O-methyl transferase (Comt) inhibit. see also https://parkinson-journal.de/alle-parkinson-medikamente |
| Dat scan | An DaTSCAN is a nuclear medicine examination to check and visualize the functionality of certain nerve connections in the brain (brain receptors, so-called dopamine transporters). The more of these brain receptors there are, the more this substance accumulates. The dat-scan is the only imaging procedure that can be used to identify idiopathic Parkinson's syndrome. Since other diseases also produce similar images, the Dat-Scan is mainly used to confirm a clinical diagnosis. |
| Decarboxylase inhibitors | Parkinson's medication, almost always given with L-dopa. DOPA decarboxylase inhibitors, short DDCI, delay the breakdown of L-dopa. see also : https://parkinson-journal.de/alle-parkinson-medikamente |
| dementia | Disturbance of the brain and memory |
| dopamine | Important messenger substance (see also transmitter) in the brain. The amount of dopamine in the brain is decreased in people with Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is therefore essentially linked to a dopamine deficiency in the brain, which is why the majority of anti-Parkinson’s medication is aimed at compensating for the dopamine deficiency. |
| Dopamine agonists | An Dopamine agonist is an active ingredient that like dopamine acts and dopamine-Receptors stimulated. |
| Dysarthrophonia | Dysarthrophonia is characterized by a slurred, unclear way of speaking and disturbances of the voice as well as the breathing out. Mostly it is connected with other physical disabilities due to organic brain malfunctions. |
| Dyskinesia | In neurology, the term "dyskinesia" encompasses all forms of physical movement disorders in the broadest sense. This can mean hyper- and hypokinetic disorders. Dyskinesias therefore include spontaneously occurring movements that cannot be influenced voluntarily, such as e.g. B. tremor, but also a pathologically reduced mobility (e.g. rigidity). |
| Dysphagia |
Dysphagia is a swallowing disorder. It often occurs in people with Parkinson's disease. In the course of Parkinson's disease, swallowing disorders are common. If more and more food scraps get into the lungs, there is a risk of dangerous pneumonia. |
| End-of-dose akinesia | End-of-dose akinesias usually occur in Parkinson's patients after a long period of treatment with L-Dopa preparations.
Since L-Dopa has a relatively short half-life (approx. 1,5 hours), it must be taken in several single doses throughout the day. Towards the end of the effective duration of an ingested dose, its effect is already wearing off ("wearing off’) and the patient’s ability to move deteriorates. End-of-dose akinesia are common at night or in the morning when getting up because the medication could not be taken overnight. |
| Extra pyramidal | Extrapyramidal syndrome (EPS) is a disorder in the sequence of movements. This leads to an increase or decrease in movements, combined with an increased or decreased state of tension in the muscles. In Parkinson's patients, this disorder is caused by a lack of dopamine. |
| The term occupational Therapy comes from the Greek and means something like: recovery through action and work. the occupational Therapy helps people to (again) achieve a capacity to act that has been lost or not yet existed in everyday life due to illness, injury or disability. |
| fine motor skills | Complicated, small and coordinated movements especially of the hands and fingers. In occupational therapy, these movements are trained or even relearned. |
| fluctuation | In connection with Parkinson's, this usually means an effect fluctuation. The patient fluctuates between stages of very poor mobility and over-movement. |
| freezing | The traffic light turns green, but the body goes on strike, it doesn't want to go, it doesn't move anymore. "freezing” is the name of this sudden freezing of a movement and is considered a typical symptom of Parkinson's disease. At least 60 percent of all patients will experience the problem sooner or later. |
| gastrointestinal | Concerning the stomach and / or the intestines. Alpha-synuclein accumulates in the intestine long before one Parkinson manifests itself, and only then reaches the brain via the vagus nerve - so the common hypothesis. So at least should gastrointestinal complaints precede the disease. Current studies also seem to confirm this. -> Alpha-Synuclein |
| Gait pattern | The most noticeable sign of Parkinson's disease is gait. The arms no longer swing, the gait becomes shuffling and the steps become shorter. In the late stages of Parkinson's syndrome, the affected person gets completely out of step. It seems as if his legs are failing and his feet are stuck to the floor - he freezes while moving (so-called -> "Freezing").
The gait and posture disorders result in an unsafe gait, which, in combination with balance problems, leads to an increased risk of falling. Stairs or uneven terrain also pose great challenges for people with Parkinson's, as they cannot correctly estimate distances, which leads to unsteadiness. |
| Glutamate | In contrast to almost all other Parkinson's therapeutics, the glutamate antagonist amantadine sulfate (PK-Merz®) does not attack the dopaminergic system, but rather reduces the glutamatergic overactivity. It is the drug of choice for all stages of Parkinson's disease. Amantadine, for example, delays the start of L-Dopa therapy in the early stages; in the late stages, it is the only substance that reduces pre-existing dyskinesia. |
| GdB | The "degree of disability" (GdB) is a unit of measurement. It shows how severely a person is affected by his or her handicap. The GdB is given in degrees of 10, the lowest starts at 20 and the highest is 100. These are not percentages. see also Family guide |
| hallucinations | In the course of Parkinson's disease, it is not uncommon for them to occur hallucinations, that is, false perceptions. These are then mostly of a visual nature. B. seen people, animals or fantasy characters who are not there. They are caused by the disease itself, but are mostly side effects of the medication. | ||||||||||||
| Holding tremor | The Holding tremor occurs whenever the person needs strength to hold their fingers, arm or leg in position. Typical of this is the tremor when holding a glass of water. A Holding tremor is a characteristic of essential tremor, but also occurs in Parkinson's patients. However, it does not belong to the so-called cardinal symptoms such as -> resting tremor. | ||||||||||||
| Hoehn and Yahr scale | The Hoehn and Yahr scale serves to classify the severity of Parkinson's disease based on the symptoms. It is an easy-to-use clinical instrument to record the underlying movement disorders.
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| Hypersexuality | Hypersexuality is a common side effect of dopamine agonists, a very common group of drugs used to treat the, particularly in younger patients ParkinsonDisease and, to a lesser extent, L-Dopa, the standard drug used for Parkinson-Therapy | ||||||||||||
| Hypomimia | Decreased expressive movements of the face. With hypomimia, the face often appears mask-like and rigid. | ||||||||||||
| Hypokinesis | The word "Hypokinesis"(Greek" sub-movement ") describes that Parkinson-Patients often make the movements “smaller” and less expansive than healthy people. The term "bradykinese" (Greek "slow movement") stands for the slowing down of the movements -> see also Freezing, Akinese, Bradykinese. |
| Idiopathic Parkinson's Syndrome | Idiopathic means “arisen without any apparent cause”. This also applies in most cases to Parkinson's syndrome. This is then referred to as idiopathic Parkinson's syndrome (IPS, synonym: Parkinson's disease). Depending on the predominant symptoms, PD is divided into a form with only limited mobility (akinetic-rigid type), a form with predominant tremors (tremor-dominant type) and a form with approximately the same degree of movement disorders and tremors (equivalence type). |
| Impulse control disorder | Technical term from psychology. An impulse control disorder describes a disorder in which a patient is unable to resist a certain urge to act - even if the act is not beneficial or even harmful for the patient (examples: gambling addiction, obsession to steal, sex addiction). Occasionally occurs as a side effect of dopamine agonsites. see also my not very serious video “Dating with Parkinson’s” |
| incontinence | Urinary bladder or bowel weakness. In the case of incontinence, urine and / or stool cannot be retained. see also https://parkinson-journal.de/harninkontinenz-bei-parkinson |
| JuPa (young people with Parkinson's disease) |
Self-help groups are organized under the term JuPa, which are specifically aimed at people who have been diagnosed with Parkinson's around the age of 40. Since the problem of an illness at such a young age differs significantly from that of older people, the JuPa groups want to address the special situation of people who develop Parkinson's disease at a young age. You can find out which group is active in your area at www.dpv-jupa.de/wer.” source JuPa RLP |
| Cognitive | Concerning thinking, perceiving and understanding. As the disease progresses, cognitive deficits increase. These are recorded and treated in neuropsychology. see also: https://parkinson-journal.de/neuropsychologie-und-parkinson-2 |
| Pillow phenomenon | Due to strong muscle tension in the neck area, the patient's head barely or not at all touches the pillow when lying down. |
| Camptocormia | As a Camptocormia is an involuntary forward bending of the trunk up to 45 ° (and more). Such dystonic tension in the trunk muscles is triggered by various diseases, such as disease Parkinson |
| L-dopa | Parkinson's Drug; Precursor of the transmitter substance dopamine. See also https://parkinson-journal.de/levo-dopa |
| L-dopa test | In the L-Dopa test, 100-200mg L-Dopa and a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor (e.g. benserazide) are dissolved in water and administered to the patient. The effects of L-Dopa should be on in 25-60 minutes and last for 4-6 hours. If there is no initial effect, you can try to dose L-Dopa up to 1000mg. In the context of Parkinson's disease, the L-Dopa test leads to a clear improvement in symptoms. A positive test supports, but does not prove the presence of Parkinson's syndrome |
| Lewy bodies | Deposits in the brain of Parkinson's patients. Lewy bodies mainly consist of the protein alpha-synuclein. See also A - Alpha Synuclein |
| Lewy body dementia | Brain disease. In Lewy body dementia, protein residues are deposited in the nerve cells and lead, among other things, to progressive memory disorders, optical hallucinations and characteristic behavioral disorders during sleep. |
| Speech therapy | Speech therapy is the medical discipline that deals with speech, speech, voice, swallowing or hearing impairments |
| LSVT®- Loud | A special form of therapy within speech therapy in which speaking loudly is the focal point of the treatment. see also: https://parkinson-journal.de/lsvt-loud |
| LSVT®- Big | A special form of therapy within occupational or physiotherapy, in which large, sweeping movements are the focal point of the treatment. see also: https://parkinson-journal.de/lsvtbig |
| Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) | Process with the help of which a three-dimensional image of the body (or head) is generated. The MRI cannot detect Parkinson's. However, it is used in diagnostics to rule out other neurological diseases. |
| MAO-B inhibitors | A group of Parkinson's drugs that can inhibit the breakdown of dopamine. This is done by inhibiting the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which is responsible for the breakdown of biogenic amines. The inhibition of the enzyme leads to the slower breakdown of various neurotransmitters such as noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin, as well as some hormones such as adrenaline.
In this way, more neurotransmitters are available for signal transmission in the brain's metabolism. |
| Micturition disorder | Micturition disorders range from the involuntary loss of urine (incontinence) to the inability to empty the bladder, in the maximum case urinary retention. More women are affected by incontinence and more men are affected by urinary retention. In principle, over Micturition disorders - often out of shame - still not like talking to this day. see also: https://parkinson-journal.de/harninkontinenz-bei-parkinson |
| Micrography | As a Micrograph is a pathologically caused reduction of the typeface, which typically occurs in the context of Parkinson's disease. See also: https://www.grafologie.ch/files/parkinson.pdf |
| nervous system | Includes all nerve cells in the body. With the help of the nervous system, the body absorbs impressions from the environment (hearing, seeing, tasting, smelling, feeling), processing them and triggering certain reactions such as e.g. B. Muscle movements. |
| neurologist | Neurologist; Specialist in diseases of the nervous system |
| Neurologically | Concerning the nervous system |
| Neuron | Nerve cell |
| NMDA antagonists |
In Parkinson's disease, the lack of dopamine also imbalances other important neurotransmitters in the brain. For example, there is an excess of “activating” glutamate, which is involved in movement control via so-called NMDA receptors - binding sites for the substance N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA). This excess of glutamate probably triggers the unwanted, strong movements - so-called "overmovements" - which occur increasingly frequently in the later stages of the disease. This is where NMDA antagonists can help: These drugs attach themselves to the NMDA receptors and thus block the effects of excess glutamate in the brain. As a result, NMDA antagonists help, among other things, to reduce the overmovement from which Parkinson's patients often suffer. In addition, NMDA antagonists increase the amount of active dopamine in the brain
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| Neurotransmitters | Neurotransmitters are biochemical messenger substances. They are located in the junction between the nerve cells, i.e. the synapses. There they are responsible for the signal transmission. This means that they transmit information from one nerve cell to the next.
Well-known examples of transmitters are Acetylcholine, Norepinephrine, Dopamine and GABA. The signal transmission works like this: If a signal (stimulus) arrives at the end of the first nerve cell, the neurotransmitters are released into the space between the two nerve cells (synaptic gap). You can now advance to the second nerve cell and thus pass the signal on to it. The nerve cells (neurons) are in contact through the neurotransmitters and can communicate with each other. |
| Constipation | decreased, hard or no bowel movements - colloquially: constipation. |
| On / off phenomenon | In German: on / off phenomenon, describes the (under certain circumstances abrupt) transition from a phase with good mobility (On) to a phase with poor mobility (Off) due to decreasing drug effect |
| Orthostatic hypotension | Rapid drop in blood pressure after a sudden change in position, e.g. B. after getting up due to disturbed blood pressure regulation |
| Physical therapy | Formerly also called physiotherapy, it is a form of specific training and the external application of remedies, with which, above all, the mobility and functionality of the human body is to be restored, improved or maintained.
The treatments are carried out by physiotherapists and, in some areas, by masseurs and medical pool attendants. Physiotherapist is not an independent medical profession in Germany, but belongs to the health professions (formerly auxiliary professions). The medical need for treatment is determined exclusively by doctors and prescribed on a prescription. |
| Progressive | Progressive |
| Protective | Protective, protective |
| PSP |
PSP stands for: Progressive supranuclear palsy. PSP is often confused with Parkinson's disease. That is why this disease is also known as atypical Parkinson's syndrome. The problems with eye movements, ie moving one's gaze downwards, gave the disease its name: eye paresis = eye paralysis.Symptoms A very distinctive symptom of this disease is staggering as if the person were drunk and no longer in control of their body. PSP paralyzes the eyes of those affected. Controlled vision is therefore no longer possible. This creates a rigid gaze (also called Mona Lisa rigidity). Body and brain are no longer in harmony. Coordination disorders, dizziness, blurred vision, double vision or blurred vision occur, which leads to falls, usually backwards. Furthermore, there are problems with reading, driving is no longer possible at all, but mood swings and even depression can occur. The movements become slower and slower, the speech becomes more indistinct and quieter. |
| Psychotic disorder | Describes a mental illness in which a patient loses touch with reality |
| Rigor | As a Rigor This is the term used to describe an increased basic tension in the skeletal muscles, which becomes noticeable as constant resistance during passive movement of an extremity. Rigor is a cardinal symptom of Parkinson's disease. |
| Resting tremor | It occurs when the muscles are completely relaxed, for example when the hand is on a table. When the person concerned has to concentrate on an upcoming task, the tremor usually intensifies. A Resting tremor is typical for Parkinson's and is considered a so-called cardinal symptom |
| Romberg standing attempt | The patient stands with feet parallel to each other and close to each other without shoes, arms stretched out horizontally and eyes initially open, then closed. The examiner pays particular attention to swaying movements of the body |
| Ointment / mask face | Signs of Parkinson's disease. Occurs through restricted facial expressions and increased sebum secretion on the face |
| Secondary | Arisen as a result of another illness |
| Sensory | Concerning the perception of sensory stimuli (e.g. sight, hearing) |
| Late complication | Complication that occurs a long time after the original illness. In Parkinson's patients, movement disorders that can be caused by long-term use of Parkinson's medication are referred to as late motor complications. |
| stem Cells | Cells in the human body that, under certain circumstances, can develop into specific types of cells. It is possible that stem cell therapy can also be used against Parkinson's in the future. |
| substantia nigra | substantia nigra refers to part of the brain. This is a core complex in the area of the midbrain (mesencephalon), which is dark due to a high intracellular content of iron and melanin (lat. ... nigra) 'black') colored. In the Parkinson disease, the nerve cells of the “substantia nigra” slowly perishes and there is a lack of dopamine. The cause of the loss of these nerve cells has not yet been finally clarified. |
| Symptoms | Symptoms of illness that are perceived by the patient himself see also: https://parkinson-journal.de/parkinson-symptome |
| Synapse | Nerve junction. At the synapse, messenger substances transmit the signals from one cell to the other. |
| syndrome | Describes the simultaneous occurrence of certain symptoms which, taken together, are characteristic of a certain clinical picture. |
| Tapping test | Procedure for studying the movement functions. The so-called tapping test of the upper extremities (finger tapping) is very simple and informative. The neurologist asks his patient to tap the thumb and index finger tips of one hand evenly and as quickly as possible 10 times. If he then compares it with the opposite side, it can be. immediately notice a slowdown in movement. |
| Deep brain stimulation | Relatively new method of Parkinson therapy, so-called brain pacemaker. With deep brain stimulation, certain areas of the brain are electrically stimulated via fine probes in order to alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson's. see also https://parkinson-journal.de/tiefe-hirnstimulation |
| Increase in tone | Muscle stiffness that is independent of the speed of joint movement. With passive movement of an extremity, the so-called -> gear phenomenon occurs. |
| Transmitter | Messenger substance, transmitter substance. With the help of transmitters, signals are passed on in the brain. (see synapse, neurotransmitter) |
| Trauma | Injury, harm |
| Tremor | A tremor is actually a movement disorder. It most commonly occurs on the hands or arms, but the trunk or head can also be affected. At least one in 100 people in Germany suffers from essential tremor, i.e. tremors without any recognizable underlying neurological disease. With this form, several members of the family are often affected. The tremors increase when the muscles are tense, such as when you write, drink, or eat want. In Parkinson's patients it is exactly the opposite. Here the tremor decreases when you carry out activities.
One differentiates:
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| Tremor dominance type | Parkinson's disease, in which the tremor in resting situations (resting tremor) dominates over the other -> cardinal symptoms. |
| Vegetative disorders | The autonomic or autonomic nervous system monitors and controls areas such as cardiovascular functions, breathing, digestion and reproduction. Unlike the central and peripheral nervous system, i.e. the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves, we cannot consciously influence the autonomic nervous system. This is why one speaks of the autonomic nervous system.
hypersalivation The increased salivation was already observed and described by James Parkinson. The underlying supposedly increased salivary gland activity was also the starting point for the first attempts at therapy with belladonna extract, which has an inhibiting effect on the glandular activity and dries out the mouth. In reality, however, Parkinson's patients only appear to have increased saliva production. In fact, less saliva is formed and the symptom actually results from the patient's decreased voluntary and involuntary swallowing movement. Sweats Occasionally there is a sweat. Very often these occur as attacks, usually at night, so that the nightwear has to be changed. Gastrointestinal disorders Gastrointestinal disorders are a major problem for most patients. On the one hand, gastric emptying is delayed in those affected. The consequences are premature satiety, a feeling of fullness and discomfort after meals. On the other hand, the intestinal muscles are disturbed in their normal activity by the underlying disease. In addition, some medications can induce constipation. Bladder dysfunction Almost half of the patients are affected by bladder dysfunction. These include the sudden onset of the urge to urinate and the incontinence that occurs as a result, but also the so-called nocturnal pollakiuria, ie the frequent urge to urinate with only the smallest amounts. In doing so, the bladder contracts reflexively even when the volume is low, so that the patient has to go to the toilet several times during the night. Sexual disorders The underlying disease can lead to libido, potency and ejaculation disorders. Patients with atypical Parkinson's disease are particularly affected. e.g. b. Multiple system atrophy. Seborrhea Patients sometimes suffer from profuse sebum from the skin. An ointment skin (seborrhea) and flaking develop. (Source: German Parkinson Association) |
| Gear phenomenon | The Gear phenomenon describes the jerky yielding of a passively moved limb. It is a special form of rigor.
With the passive extension of a loosely held, bent arm, the tension in the upper arm muscles suddenly loosens. The arm cannot be moved evenly, but only in a choppy manner against a clearly noticeable resistance. |
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