Episode 138: Medication-Induced Parkinsonism - How is it Different?

This episode explores parkinsonism, a group of conditions with symptoms similar to those of Parkinson’s disease, itself a neurological degenerative brain disorder resulting from neurons in the brain failing to make enough dopamine. It is characterized by a loss of motor control, including stiffness, slow movements, resting tremors, and postural instability. Plus, non-motor symptoms of depression, loss of the sense of smell, gastric problems, mood and cognitive changes are common.

Parkinsonism is a general term for a group of neurological conditions involving movement problems similar to those seen in Parkinson’s disease. A variety of underlying causes may lead to parkinsonism, including medications that affect dopamine levels in the brain or the action of dopamine in the brain. Examples are antipsychotic medications used in psychiatry, calcium channel blockers for blood pressure control, and stimulants like amphetamines and cocaine. Even though stopping the medications may result in them being cleared from the body in the near term, symptoms may persist for several months.

In this episode, Cheryl Waters, MD, Professor of Neurology at Columbia University in New York City, discusses medication-induced parkinsonism and what people with Parkinson’s and doctors need to be aware of.

Released: October 4, 2022

Cheryl Waters MD FRCP(C), holds bachelors and masters degrees in Pharmacology from the University of Toronto, where she studied dopamine receptor function with Philip Seeman. She completed medical school at University of Toronto, an internship at University of Chicago, and returned to Toronto for Internal Medicine, Neurology and a fellowship in Clinical Pharmacology. She moved to California and developed the Movement Disorder Program at the University of Southern California. Dr. Waters then moved to New York to take on her current position as Chief of Clinical Practice and Services in the Division of Movement Disorders. She has been involved in research on the genetics of Parkinson's disease and the treatment of this disorder. She has authored numerous articles and book chapters and a book in its seventh edition: Diagnosis and Management of Parkinson's Disease. She has been an investigator in numerous studies involving a variety of new medical and surgical treatments. She is the first to hold the Albert B. and Judith L. Glickman Chair in Neurology.

About Cheryl Waters, MD

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Understanding Parkinsonism

Episode 49: Parkinson’s Disease vs. Parkinsonism: What’s the Difference?