News|Articles|July 15, 2024

Understanding the Significant Role of Secondary Symptoms of Parkinson Disease

Fact checked by: Matt Hoffman

Secondary symptoms of PD can be as debilitating as the primary motor symptoms, often leading to increased disability, reduced independence, and a higher burden on caregivers.

Parkinson disease (PD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder involving multiple neurotransmitter pathways in the brain and autonomic nervous system, has been typically characterized by motor symptoms including tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, and postural reflex disturbance. Although these dopaminergic motor symptoms are a major part of the clinical management of the disease, a growing number of patients have expressed that the nonmotor, secondary symptoms affect their quality of life even more.