Handbook of Clinical Neurology

James Parkinson described Parkinson’s disease in his memorable Essay on the Shaking Palsy in 1817. Since then, and particularly in recent years, there has been tremendous progress in our understanding of this complex and fascinating neurological disorder. Briefly, we have learned that it is not only manifest by motor symptoms but also that there is a whole range of non-motor features, including autonomic, psychiatric, cognitive and sensory impairments. We now know how to distinguish better clinically between Parkinson’s disease and the various parkinsonian syndromes. Likewise, it is now well established that in this disorder not only the substantia nigra but many other central as well as...