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Mechanisms of aluminium neurotoxicity in oxidative stress-induced ...

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Bradyk<strong>in</strong>esia<br />

INTRODUCTION<br />

Bradyk<strong>in</strong>esia, the most disabl<strong>in</strong>g symptom <strong>of</strong> PD, is easily observed. It results <strong>in</strong><br />

the slowness <strong>in</strong> movement and as a consequence significantly impairs quality <strong>of</strong> life as<br />

everyday tasks performance is delayed (eat<strong>in</strong>g, dress<strong>in</strong>g, aris<strong>in</strong>g from a chair, gett<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />

and out <strong>of</strong> a car or bed). It <strong>in</strong>itially manifests by difficulties with f<strong>in</strong>e motor tasks<br />

(reduced arm sw<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> walk<strong>in</strong>g, speed <strong>of</strong> handwrit<strong>in</strong>g, do<strong>in</strong>g up buttons) and <strong>of</strong>ten by<br />

decreased bl<strong>in</strong>k rate. Various tests can be performed to assess limb bradyk<strong>in</strong>esia, such<br />

as fist clos<strong>in</strong>g and open<strong>in</strong>g, f<strong>in</strong>ger and foot tapp<strong>in</strong>g, alternat<strong>in</strong>g forearm pronation and<br />

sup<strong>in</strong>ation (Mart<strong>in</strong>ez-Mart<strong>in</strong> et al. 1994). Additional motor symptoms are also<br />

noticeable as a result <strong>of</strong> hypok<strong>in</strong>esia (reduction <strong>in</strong> movement amplitude) and ak<strong>in</strong>esia<br />

(absence <strong>of</strong> normal unconscious movements) <strong>in</strong> comb<strong>in</strong>ation with rigidity, such as<br />

micrographia (decreased size <strong>of</strong> handwrit<strong>in</strong>g), reduced stride length <strong>in</strong> walk<strong>in</strong>g,<br />

hypophonia (dim<strong>in</strong>ished voice volume), dysarthia (slurred speech), hypomimia (facial<br />

mask<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> normal facial expression), and dysphagia (problems swallow<strong>in</strong>g), and<br />

sialorrhea (drool<strong>in</strong>g, failure to swallow without th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g about it).<br />

Postural <strong>in</strong>stability<br />

Postural <strong>in</strong>stability or the impairment <strong>of</strong> the right<strong>in</strong>g reflex, sometimes judged a<br />

card<strong>in</strong>al feature <strong>of</strong> PD, is non-specific and is less responsive to treatment compared with<br />

the others card<strong>in</strong>al motor symptoms. Postural <strong>in</strong>stability or gait disturbances refer to the<br />

gradual development <strong>of</strong> poor balance, lead<strong>in</strong>g to a high risk for falls and <strong>in</strong>juries, and<br />

sometimes, conf<strong>in</strong>ement to a wheelchair. It can be test with the retropulsion test (pull<strong>in</strong>g<br />

the patient backward to check for balance recovery). This feature, <strong>in</strong> comb<strong>in</strong>ation with<br />

rigidity and bradyk<strong>in</strong>esia, results <strong>in</strong> important disability to the patient. Gait becomes<br />

slower, with shuffl<strong>in</strong>g, and turn<strong>in</strong>g is en bloc (as opposed to pivot<strong>in</strong>g). Freez<strong>in</strong>g is<br />

characterised by the <strong>in</strong>ability to beg<strong>in</strong> a voluntary movement such as walk<strong>in</strong>g or strik<strong>in</strong>g<br />

gait hesitation on turn<strong>in</strong>g or arriv<strong>in</strong>g at a real or perceived obstacle. Postural <strong>in</strong>stability<br />

and gait abnormality are not typical at onset <strong>of</strong> PD. They are usually absent <strong>in</strong> early<br />

5

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