Parkinson's Disease

This podcast episode centers on Parkinson's disease, detailing its cardinal symptoms represented by the acronym TRAP: tremor, rigidity, akinesia/bradykinesia, and postural instability. The discussion covers both motor and non-motor symptoms, emphasizing the importance of a multifaceted approach to care. Diagnostic criteria are outlined, including the necessity of bradykinesia plus one other symptom from TRAP, exclusion of other Parkinsonism types like drug-induced cases from antiemetics and antipsychotics, and supportive positive factors such as asymmetry and response to levodopa. Various treatment options are explored, including levodopa/carbidopa, COMT inhibitors like entacapone and opicapone, dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors, adenosine A2A receptor antagonists, anticholinergics, and amantadine, along with strategies for managing motor complications like wearing off, on-off phenomenon, and dyskinesias.