Topic overview

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Diagnosis is clinical and centers on bradykinesia together with rest tremor, rigidity, or postural instability. Treatment is individualized: levodopa with a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor is emphasized for older adults or severe disability, while dopamine agonists may be considered earlier in milder disease, with attention to their adverse effects. Other options include MAO-B and COMT inhibitors, amantadine, and anticholinergics for selected patients. The source also outlines approaches to acute “off” episodes, motor fluctuations, and levodopa-induced dyskinesia. Management extends to psychosis and dementia, where medication selection matters because some drugs can worsen symptoms. This overview introduces these decisions; the full lesson develops the therapies, precautions, monitoring, and follow-up in greater detail.