Pathology - Parkinson's disease

Pathology - Parkinson's disease
​Pathophysiology 
The hallmark of this disease is a reduction in dopaminergic activity, which results from a decrease in the activity of the substantia nigra, a region of the midbrain that secretes dopamine.
There is a clear correlation between dopamine levels and motor function, as dopamine reduces inhibition of motor performance. This is consistent with the clinical observations of bradykinesia and cogwheel rigidity, which is jerky resistance to passive range of motion. Furthermore, a decrease in dopamine suppresses emotions via acting on the prefrontal brain, which is exacerbated by facial paralysis (mask-like facies). Parkinson's patients' neurons frequently include Lewy bodies, which are inclusion bodies containing the protein alphasynuclein. Nevertheless, Parkinson's disease is not the only condition that can cause these aggregation of proteins.
Dopamine agonists and carbidopa/levodopa can be used to treat symptoms. In order to avoid undesirable side effects, carbidogopa blocks the peripheral conversion of levodopa to dopamine. Anticholinergic drugs aid in the management of tremor.