PARKINSONS & PARKINSONISM-PATHOLOGY

SUMMARY

1. The pathologic findings are loss of pigmented cells in the substantia nigra and other pigmented nuclei (locus ceruleus, raphe, and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus).

2. This results in loss of inhibitory dopaminergic input to the excitatory cholinergic system causing the motor features of Parkinson's disease.

3. Many of the remaining cells contain eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusions, surrounded by a faint halo, called Lewy bodies.

4. 80% of patients with PD will eventually develop a dementia of the Lewy body type.

Reference(s)

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Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].