ABSTRACT
The classic Parkinson disease diagnosis triad are resting tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia. Postural stability and falls are often a late complication of the disorder. The natural history of the disorder stems from an unexplained loss of neurons, and the largest risk factor appears to be age. Literature regarding neuroprotective agents and medications that may help "slow down" the disease progression have been widely published. Once the diagnosis is made, in some cases, months to years may have passed before effective therapy is begun. With the advent of levodopa in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the gold standard for therapy of Parkinson disease has remained carbidopa/levodopa. As a result of the treatment, long-term complications of the motor symptoms were reported for the therapy aimed at helping those motor symptoms. Today the prognosis of patients with the diagnosis is excellent. Patients get relief from motor complaints but continue to suffer from non-motor complications.
