Name: Parkinson's disease glossary: every term explained
Published: 2026-10-20

Parkinson's disease: an animated, cited guide

This page needs JavaScript for its animations. The outline and key answers are below, and every claim in the full version carries a numbered citation.

Not medical advice. Parkinson's Companion is an educational synthesis of published literature. It does not replace a clinician.

What is in it

What Parkinson's is Parkinsonism versus Parkinson's disease, who it affects, the numbers.
The dopamine pathway Substantia nigra to striatum, the go and brake loops, and what losing dopamine does.
Alpha-synuclein and Lewy bodies From a small synaptic protein to a Lewy body, and how it may spread.
How it spreads: Braak stages Six stages from the brainstem to the cortex, and the body-first debate.
Genes and inheritance LRRK2, GBA1, SNCA and parkin, founder populations, and what a test means.
Before the tremor Dream enactment, smell, constipation and the prodromal criteria.
Stages and symptoms Hoehn and Yahr, motor and non-motor symptoms, and how fast it moves.
Diagnosis and the MDS criteria The clinical criteria as a calculator, DaT scans and synuclein tests.
The differential Essential tremor, drug-induced parkinsonism, MSA, PSP and Lewy body dementia.
Levodopa and carbidopa From the pill to the striatum, step by step.
Levodopa over time Wearing-off, dyskinesia, the narrowing window and what smooths it.
The other medicines Agonists, MAO-B and COMT inhibitors, amantadine and the order of use.
Deep-brain stimulation Targets, the stimulation field, the beta rhythm and what the trials found.
Beyond movement Mood, hallucinations, dementia, sleep and blood pressure.
Risk and protection Pesticides, solvents, head injury, smoking, coffee and exercise.
Living with Parkinson's Exercise, therapy, falls, speech, work, caregiving and the end of life.
Nursing care Medicines on time, drugs to avoid, swallowing, assessment, documentation.
Toward a cure Synuclein antibodies, GLP-1 drugs, LRRK2 and GBA1, cells and genes.
History and people From James Parkinson's 1817 essay to the synuclein test.
Flashcards and mnemonics Flip cards by topic.
Quiz Questions with explanations.
Glossary Every term, searchable.
Sources Every reference behind the guide.

Glossary