The main symptoms of Parkinson's disease are tremor, slowness of movement, stiffness or rigidity, and impairment walking and balance. Typically, as the disease progresses, persons with PD will also suffer from impaiment of the autonomic nervous system, develop difficulty with sleep and speech, and sustain physical injuries due to falls. Frequently, psychiatric problems will develop as well, particularly depression and cognitive impairment.

MAIN SYMPTOMS:  
 Tremor
Slowness of Movement
Rigidity
Walking and Balance Difficulty
AUTONOMIC IMPAIRMENT:  
The autonomic nervous system controls many of the automatic body functions such as control of heart rate, blood pressure, sweating and digestion. The autonomic system is often involved in Parkinson's disease.
 Constipation & Urinary Dysfunction
Orthostatic Hypotension
Sexual Dysfunction
Excessive Salivation
MOTOR COMPLICATIONS:  
As the disease advances, the response to medications used to treat the PD can become less reliable.
 Wearing Off of Medications
Dyskinesias
Drug Failure
Dystonia
PSYCHIATRIC:  
Dr. Laura Marsh, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology, investigates neurodegenerative diseases and coordinates treatments for the psychiatric and cognitive disorders associated with PD.
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 Depression
Cognitive Impairment
Hallucinations/Delusions
Anxiety
Other Behavioral Disturbances
SLEEP:  
 Insomnia
Daytime Sleepiness
Restless Legs Syndrome


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The Johns Hopkins Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorder Center
733 N. Broadway, Suite 731 |  Baltimore, Maryland 21205 USA
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The Johns Hopkins Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorder Center is sponsored
by The National Parkinson Foundation as a Center of Excellence