Dyskinesia

Dyskinesia is involuntary, often flowing movement that can develop in Parkinson’s disease, commonly as a complication of long-term levodopa treatment.

Levodopa-induced dyskinesia: Involuntary movements associated with long-term levodopa treatment for Parkinson’s disease. This is the treatment-related form of dyskinesia specified here.
Levodopa: A medication converted into dopamine in the brain to relieve motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Long-term use can be associated with the dyskinesia described on this page.
Wearing-off phenomenon: The return of Parkinson’s motor symptoms as a dose of medication loses effect. It marks declining medication benefit, unlike dyskinesia’s excessive involuntary movement.
Peak-dose dyskinesia: Levodopa-induced involuntary movement occurring when medication effect is near its strongest. It is a common pattern in which movements intensify near peak medication benefit.
Dopamine: A neurotransmitter involved in movement, motivation, reward, and other brain functions. Fluctuating dopamine signaling helps shape the timing and severity of levodopa-related movements.
Carbidopa: A medication that limits levodopa breakdown outside the brain, allowing more levodopa to reach it. It is commonly combined with levodopa, though it does not itself prevent dyskinesia.
Freezing of gait: A brief inability to initiate or continue walking despite intending to move. This medication-related movement problem involves too little movement rather than involuntary excess.
Diphasic dyskinesia: Levodopa-induced involuntary movement occurring as a dose begins to take effect and as it wears off. Its two movement periods contrast with dyskinesia confined to peak medication effect.
Basal ganglia: A group of interconnected brain structures involved in selecting and regulating movement. Dyskinesia reflects altered movement control within circuits that include these structures.
Amantadine: A medication used to reduce levodopa-induced dyskinesia in some people with Parkinson’s disease. It is a principal medication option for reducing these involuntary movements.

Linked from 7 pages