Parkinson's disease is characterized by
A) impaired ability to follow a map.
B) sudden involuntary movements.
C) slowness of movement.
D) an inability to perform a sequence of movements.
E) a gene mutation on chromosome 4.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Parkinson's disease is mainly characterized by slowness of movement or bradykinesia. This is due to the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. Other common symptoms include stiffness, tremors, and difficulty with balance and coordination.

Option A is incorrect because impaired ability to follow a map may be a symptom of Alzheimer's disease, but not Parkinson's disease.

Option B is incorrect because sudden involuntary movements are more typical of conditions such as Huntington's disease, not Parkinson's disease.

Option D is incorrect because difficulty in performing a sequence of movements is more characteristic of conditions such as Huntington's disease or ataxia, not Parkinson's disease.

Option E is partially incorrect. While some cases of Parkinson's disease may be associated with gene mutations on chromosome 4, this is not a definitive or necessary feature to diagnose the disease, as the majority of cases have no clear genetic cause.

Parkinson's Disease Is Characterized by