Mr. Garcia, A 66-year-old man comes in to the medical office for evaluation of a tremor. He has noticed a progressively worsening tremor in his hands for the past 6 months. The tremor is worse when he is resting and improves a little when he reaches for an object or is using his hands. He has noted that it is not as easy to “get going” when he stands up to walk. He takes several small, “shuffling” steps before he can reach his full stride. He has no significant medical history and takes only an aspirin a day. On examination you note that his face is fairly expressionless; he has a pill-rolling-type tremor of his hands at rest and has cogwheel rigidity of his arms. The primary care provider (PCP) has diagnosed the client with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), which is a slowly progressive disease that affects a small area of cells in the mid brain known as the substantia nigra. Gradual degeneration of these cells causes a reduction in a vital chemical known as dopamine. Parkinson’s disease belongs to a group of conditions called motor system disorders. Parkinson’s and related disorders are the result of the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. Dopamine is a chemical messenger responsible for transmitting signals within the brain. Parkinson’s disease occurs when certain nerve cells, or neurons, die or become impaired. Normally, these neurons produce dopamine. Loss of dopamine causes the nerve cells to fire out of control, leaving patients unable to direct or control their movement in a normal manner. 5. Once the determination is made that he does have PD, which medication(s) are most indicated to help relieve symptoms of PD

Mr. Garcia, A 66-year-old man comes in to the medical office for evaluation of a tremor. He has noticed a progressively worsening tremor in his hands for the past 6 months. The tremor is worse when he is resting and improves a little when he reaches for an object or is using his hands. He has noted that it is not as easy to “get going” when he stands up to walk. He takes several small, “shuffling” steps before he can reach his full stride. He has no significant medical history and takes only an aspirin a day. On examination you note that his face is fairly expressionless; he has a pill-rolling-type tremor of his hands at rest and has cogwheel rigidity of

his arms.

The primary care provider (PCP) has diagnosed the client with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), which is a slowly progressive disease that affects a small area of cells in the mid brain known as the substantia nigra. Gradual degeneration of these cells causes a reduction in a vital chemical known as dopamine. Parkinson’s disease belongs to a group of conditions called motor system disorders. Parkinson’s and related disorders are the result of the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. Dopamine is a chemical messenger responsible for transmitting signals within the brain. Parkinson’s disease occurs when certain nerve cells, or neurons, die or become impaired. Normally, these neurons produce dopamine. Loss of dopamine causes the nerve cells to fire out of control, leaving patients unable to direct or control their movement in a normal manner.

5. Once the determination is made that he does have PD, which medication(s) are most indicated to help relieve symptoms of PD

. The tremor is worse when he is resting and improves a little when he reaches for an object or is using his hands. He has noted that it is not as easy to “get going” when he stands up to walk. He takes several small, “shuffling” steps before he can reach his full stride. He has no significant medical history and takes only an aspirin a day. On examination you note that his face is fairly expressionless; he has a pill-rolling-type tremor of his hands at rest and has cogwheel rigidity of

his arms.

The primary care provider (PCP) has diagnosed the client with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), which is a slowly progressive disease that affects a small area of cells in the mid brain known as the substantia nigra. Gradual degeneration of these cells causes a reduction in a vital chemical known as dopamine. Parkinson’s disease belongs to a group of conditions called motor system disorders. Parkinson’s and related disorders are the result of the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. Dopamine is a chemical messenger responsible for transmitting signals within the brain. Parkinson’s disease occurs when certain nerve cells, or neurons, die or become impaired. Normally, these neurons produce dopamine. Loss of dopamine causes the nerve cells to fire out of control, leaving patients unable to direct or control their movement in a normal manner.

5. Once the determination is made that he does have PD, which medication(s) are most indicated to help relieve symptoms of PD