Bradykinesia in Parkinson's Disease

Approximately one million Americans are living with Parkinson's disease, according to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation. In addition to tremors, bradykinesia is a common symptom of this neurological disease.

Identification

• Bradykinesia is a slowness of voluntary movement, such as walking or showing, that you cannot control.

Causes

• Parkinson's disease occurs due to a shortage of dopamine in the brain. Since dopamine is a brain chemical vital to the communication of voluntary actions, this shortage impedes movement.

Time Frame

• Parkinson's disease is progressive, meaning that symptoms become worse over time. For this reason, you are not likely to experience a sudden onset of bradykinesia; it is more likely that you will notice a gradual slowing of your movements.

Effects

• Bradykinesia makes even routine tasks time-consuming and may make it difficult for you to run errands, participate in your hobbies and perform chores or work.

Treatment

• There is no cure for Parkinson's disease; however, medications like levodopa or dopamine agonists may lessen symptoms of bradykinesia by increasing dopamine levels in your brain or substituting for dopamine entirely.