Introduction

Parkinson's disease is but one of a number of progressive, neurological disorders that are characterized by a core set of symptoms, typically at least two of the following:

• Tremor
• Rigidity
• Akinesia or bradykinesia
• Postural changes.

Pathologically, these symptoms of parkinsonian conditions are characterized by dopaminergic cell loss in the substantia nigra portion of the brain.

Levodopa or a dopamine agonists provide some alleviation of symptoms, at least in the early stages of the disease.

Before completing this course, respond to the five self-assessment questions that follow. You'll recognize some of the same questions that you first completed in the pre-test, and will also be asked to respond to new questions that will require you to apply what you've learned in this module.