29th June 2011 - New research

  MALE  FEMALE DIFFERENCES IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Maturitas [2011] Jun 24 [Epub ahead of print] (K.P.Roland, J.M.Jakobi, C.Powell G.R.Jones)

There are clearly more men than women with Parkinson's Disease. In some countries, the ratio of men to women with Parkinson's Disease is more than 2 to 3 times greater. Only in Russia, and to an even greater extent in Japan is Parkinson's Disease clearly more common in women. This may be due to the large number of men who died during warfare, rather than an actual greater prevalence. Men and women also differ in the prevalence of certain types of symptoms. Rigidity, postural instability, and also dyskinesia caused by L-dopa have all been found to be more prevalent in females with Parkinson's Disease. Reports suggest that females with Parkinson's Disease also have different walking patterns compared to males with Parkinson's Disease, and women who do not have Parkinson's Disease. Females with Parkinson's Disease also experience increased freezing when walking when compared to men. Balance is also reduced in females with Parkinson's Disease in comparison to men with Parkinson's Disease.