Vascular Parkinsons

[attyj]

Just read a book on Pres George HW Bush. He said he is diagnosed with vascular Parkinsonism. It apparently affects the legs. Anyone here with more knowledge of this aspect of the PD problem?

[etterus]

It is a degradation process of the substantia nigra that is related to insuffient vascular supply such as mini strokes.

[honeycombe3]

I have heard the expression but had no idea what it implied. I am a 67 yr old woman, UK resident, dxd 12 yrs ago. During that time I have had 2 heart attacks, the last in 2013. I am left-side tremor dominant. I have always had bouts of weakness in my legs but these have recently been getting worse. I can now see & feel varicose veins in my legs. I have had problems with discolouration & bruising but put these down to my heart problems & meds. I shall ask about vascular PD at my next clinic - thanks for bringing this to our attention on the site.

[Hikoi]

As I understand it in Vascular PD the cause is atherosclerosis and probably mini strokes affecting the dopamine production areas of the brain. It is slower progressing than idiopathic PD and has a slightly different range of symptoms.

In idiopathic Parkinsons the autonomic problems can also affect the heart.

[honeycombe3 in reply to Hikoi]

Hikoi,

Once again thanks for the appropriate information. Please keep it coming.

[Hikoi in reply to honeycombe3]

Thankyou honeycombe, appreciated.

If you want to do some more research on

the PD-related autonomic symptoms which include problems that are

cardiovascular (eg heart rate, blood pressure) ,

gastrointestinal (eg constipation gastroparesis),

urogenital (eg continence problems and sexual problems)

thermoregulatory (eg sweating, heat and cold intolerance)

You can try searching Parkinsons and dysautomnia or autonomic dysfunction. Good luck.

[honeycombe3 in reply to Hikoi]

Hikoi,

Thanks.

[park_bear]

The term "vascular Parkinsonism" does not appear to be well defined. Here is my personal experience with this sort of problem:

healthunlocked.com/parkinso...

Differentiating Vascular Parkinsonism from Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review here: researchgate.net/publicatio...

[Hikoi]

Just been listening to the podcast on Parkinson plus (no 7 podcast) here

worldpdcoalition.org/?page=...

At about 12 mins there is a discussion on vascular Parkinsons. It is a controversial label as explained in the podcast but Vascular type symptoms we get in idiopathic PD have nothing to do with the condition Vascular Parkinsons (they are to do with the involvement of the autonomic nervous system in PD.)

extremely interesting podcast. Hope it answer your questions Attyj.