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Home / Understand Parkinson’s / Glossary of terms

Glossary of terms

Some of the most common terminology used in Parkinson’s and for explaining Parkinson’s symptoms is explained below. 

A dopamine agonist which is quick acting and has a short duration of effect. It’s given by injection or continuous pump.

Learn more about Parkinson’s medications

Conditions which resemble Parkinson’s but have some variations in symptoms,
response to medications and prognosis. Conditions include Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) and Corticobasal Syndrome (CBS).

Learn more about Atypical Parkinson’s
Learn more about Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP)
Learn more about Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)
Learn more about Corticobasal Syndrome (CBS)

A set of structures deep within the brain, that consists of the striatum, globus pallidus,
subthalamic nucleus and substantia nigra. Dopamine is produced in the cells of the substantia nigra.

It’s this area that provides a definite diagnosis of Parkinson’s postmortem.
The basal ganglia has important implications in movement, cognitive and emotional functions.

Slowness in initiating and executing movement.

Learn more about bradykinesia
Learn more about Parkinson’s symptoms

Slownness of thought process.

Learn more about cognitive change
Learn more about Parkinson’s symptoms

A reversible surgical procedure used in the management of Parkinson’s. It involves placing electrodes into a chosen target site of the brain. This site choice depends on the aspect of Parkinson’s to be treated – for example tremor or dyskinesia.

Learn more about deep brain stimulation
Learn more about Parkinson’s surgery options

A chemical produced by the substantia nigra in the basal ganglia. It’s responsible for transmission of signals between nerve cells that control movement. A lack of dopamine is the primary factor in Parkinson’s. The reason for this depletion of dopamine remains unknown.

Learn more about the causes of Parkinson’s
Learn more about Parkinson’s and dopamine

A gel formulation of Sinemet® which is infused via a permanent tube into the small intestine. This is an alternative mode of treatment in later stage Parkinson’s.

Learn more about Duodopa
Learn more about Parkinson’s medications

Involuntary movements (nodding, jerking, twisting) resulting from medium to long-term use of levodopa.

Learn more about dyskinesia
Learn more about Parkinson’s symptoms

Abnormal and sustained posturing which can affect any part of the body, more commonly seen in the feet, toes and neck. Predominantly occurring in the ‘off’ state.

Learn more about dystonia
Learn more about Parkinson’s symptoms

The temporary inability to move. Freezing may only last a few seconds. It can occur in confined spaces or when changing direction.

Learn more about Parkinson’s and freezing
Learn more about Parkinson’s symptoms

A term meaning ‘cause unknown’.

Learn more about the causes of Parkinson’s

A dopamine replacement therapy medication.

Learn more about Parkinson’s medications

Round microscopic structures found in brain cells at post-mortem. Often regarded as a definitive sign of Idiopathic Parkinson’s.

Learn more about Lewy bodies

A liquid preparation of Sinemet® which is made daily and taken in an hourly to two-hourly regime. Often prescribed in complex cases of Parkinson’s.

Learn more about Parkinson’s medications

A dopamine replacement therapy medication available in rapid, normal, and controlled release preparations.

Learn more about Parkinson’s medications

Drugs which block the breakdown of dopamine in the brain. Drug interactions are possible with this group of medications.

Learn more about Parkinson’s medications

A variance in response to levodopa therapy which may develop after a few years of treatment. This can be ‘wearing off’, or ‘on/off’ phenomena.

Learn more about Parkinson’s medication side effects

A dopamine agonist administered via a transdermal patch. It’s changed daily and should be refrigerated.

Learn more about dopamine agonists
Learn more about Parkinson’s medications

Motor fluctuations resulting from medium to long term use of levodopa. This can be abrupt and unpredictable.

Learn more about Parkinson’s medication side effects

Conditions which resemble Parkinson’s by the presence of muscle rigidity, tremor, and bradykinesia. These are also known as Atypical Parkinsonism or pseudo-Parkinsonism.

Learn more about Atypical Parkinson’s
Learn more about Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP)
Learn more about Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)
Learn more about Corticobasal Syndrome (CBS)

A group of conditions that make up other forms of progressive Parkinsonism. These include Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).

Learn more about Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP)
Learn more about Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)
Learn more about Corticobasal Syndrome (CBS)

A dopamine agonist medication.

Learn more about dopamine agonists
Learn more about Parkinson’s medications

A dopamine agonist medication.

Learn more about dopamine agonists.
Learn more about Parkinson’s medications

A tremor which occurs when the affected limb or body part is at rest. It oscillates at a frequency of four to five Hz per second. Can be exacerbated with stress.

Learn more about tremor
Learn more about Parkinson’s symptoms

An unrelated sensory disorder which commonly occurs in Parkinson’s. It’s characterised by the urge to move the legs either during sleep or awake at rest.

Learn more about restless legs

Muscle rigidity is felt on passive movement and may present as ‘cogwheel’ (when tremor is present) or ‘lead-pipe’ (in the absence of tremor).

Learn more about rigidity
Learn more about tremor

Refer to monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

Learn more about Parkinson’s medications

A dopamine agonist medication.

Learn more about dopamine agonists
Learn more about Parkinson’s medications

A dopamine replacement therapy medication available in normal and controlled release. Liquid Sinemet® can be prepared from this medication.

Learn more about Parkinson’s medications

Contains an enzyme which prevents further breakdown and extends the duration of the effectiveness of levodopa. It’s a combination therapy of levodopa, carbidopa, and entacapone.

Learn more about COMT inhibitors
Learn more about Parkinson’s medications

The deepest structure within the basal ganglia is located around the top of the spine in the brain stem. Dopamine is produced in the substantia nigra and sends signals from the substantia nigra up to the striatum. A loss of dopamine producing cells within the substantia nigra is the primary cause of Parkinson’s symptoms.

Learn more about Parkinson’s symptoms
Learn more about the causes of Parkinson’s
Learn more about Parkinson’s

An anti-viral medication which is thought to increase dopamine release in the brain and therefore may be used in the treatment of Parkinson’s.

Learn more about Parkinson’s medications

This original COMT inhibitor is no longer widely used due to the risk of hepatic failure.

Learn more about Parkinson’s medications

An involuntary rhythmic movement which usually occurs when the affected body part is not in use (at rest) and may be described as ‘pill-rolling’. It may affect any part of the body but predominantly occurs in the upper or lower limbs or jaw and is initially seen on one side of the body. Internal tremor may be felt but is not visible. Not all cases of Parkinson’s will experience tremor.

Learn more about tremor

A variance in response to levodopa therapy which may develop after a few years of treatment. This can be ‘wearing off’ or ‘on/off’ phenomena. Also referred to as motor fluctuations. In addition to motor fluctuations, sensory and autonomic symptoms may fluctuate in response to the levodopa levels and availability. These include sweating, anxiety and pain.

Learn more about Parkinson’s medication side effects 

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Please note: Fight Parkinson’s uses the phrase Parkinson’s rather than Parkinson’s Disease to reflect the community’s preference. Parkinson’s Disease is used only when necessary such as in medical, research or government contents, or in direct quotes.