Vascular Parkinsonism

Vascular Parkinsonism is where symptoms of Parkinson's disease are caused by vascular changes  in the brain. This is most commonly a stroke.

Parkinsonism describes a condition that has the common symptoms of Parkinson's disease - tremor, rigidity, akinesia or bradykinesia and postural instability but does not have Parkinson's Disease.

Many times a doctor will prescribe some of the drugs used to treat Parkinson's to treat Vascular Parkinsonism to see if they will help control the symptoms.
 

Symptoms of Vascular Parkinsonism

• Hypomimia (reduced facial expression)

• Articulation or swallowing problems

• Cognitive problems

• Incontinence of urine or faeces.

Treatment of Vascular Parkinsonism

A positive response to levodopa (Sinemet and Madopar) has been described in about 40% of people with VP who were tried on this medication in literature. In the majority, the response is not as good as in IPD, but in some it can be excellent. Treatment should also include careful blood pressure control (treatment of heart failure, careful administration of antihypertensive medication), as well as management of other vascular risk factors. Furthermore, physiotherapy may improve the gait disorder, and speech and language therapy may help with the articulation and swallowing problem.