Is Parkinsons Hereditary?

parkinsons symptoms and spinal fluid leakage

• can leakage of spinal fluid cause symptoms similar to parkinsons disease? If so, would patient get relief from parkinsons medications? and when leakage is repaired would parkinsons smptoms subside? Are there any case histories?

• Answer:

  Hi lee95-ga. I found a number of helpful sites that not only describe the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s Disease along with its signs and symptoms, but that also give lists of other conditions that give rise to a similar constellation of symptoms. I have summarized the most helpful sites below. A Description of Parkinson’s Disease (from The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, http://www.pdf.org/AboutPD/symptoms.cfm) Parkinson’s Disease is a degenerative neurological disorder resulting from the depigmentation of the Substantia Nigra, a small section of the brain. The Substantia Nigra is a major producer of dopamine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Dopamine is responsible for, among other things, modulation of normal movement. When there is a relative deficiency of dopamine then abnormalities of movement occur. The most recognizable symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease include tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia or slowed movement, poor balance, and multiple difficulties with walking, especially a shuffling gait. Other symptoms could be depression, sleep disturbances, dizziness, stooped posture, constipation, dementia, and problems with speech, breathing, swallowing, and sexual function. Each individual experiences a different combination of symptoms and may not experience all of the above listed problems. Differential Diagnosis of Parkinson Syndrome (from http://www.parkinsons-information-exchange-network-online.com/archive/091.html) There are a number of conditions that can give rise to symptoms similar to those found in Parkinson’s Disease. Of course the majority of cases of Parkinson’s Syndrome can be attributed to Parkinson’s Disease and a variant juvenile form with an earlier onset. Other causes are post-infectious Parkinson’s; drug reactions (e.g., dopamine receptor blocking drugs (antipsychotic. antiemetic drugs), reserpine, tetrabenazine, alpha-methyl-dopa, lithium, flunarizine, cinnarizine); toxins (MPTP, ethanol, methanol, mercury); pugilistic encephalopathy (this is the type Muhammed Ali has); endocrine disease; and a host of neurodegenerative diseases. Nowhere in Baylor College’s differential diagnosis does any condition related to spinal fluid leakage appear. Check out the above reference for a complete list of differentials and descriptions. Spinal Fluid Leakage—Symptoms (from http://www.neurosurgery.org/focus/july00/9-1-7.pdf) Most cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage is a side effect seen with lumbar puncture, usually performed to diagnose meningitis or other infection of the nervous system. The most recognized symptom of CSF leakage is headache, but other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and diplopia (double vision). Parkinson’s syndrome is not a recognized constellation of symptoms resulting from CSF leakage. I hope that this information is helpful. Here is a list of searches that I performed to find the above information: ://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=spinal+fluid+leakage+symptoms ://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=parkinson%27s+disease ://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=parkinson%27s+disease As always, if you are experiencing symptoms that you feel represent Parkinson’s Syndrome you should be sure to contact your personal physician for a complete evaluation. Good luck to you. Boquinha-ga