Shared from myparkinsonsteam.com.
Parkinson’s medications like levodopa can cause motor symptoms known as dyskinesia. Another set of motor symptoms, dystonia, can also develop as a side effect of Parkinson’s medications, or as a direct symptom of Parkinson’s or another movement disorder.
Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder characterized by a lack of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, or chemical messenger, responsible for controlling muscle movements. When dopamine levels are low, signaling is disrupted, leading to the development of movement disorders. Dopaminergic treatments can increase dopamine levels or mimic the chemical to improve symptoms.
Parkinson’s disease and other forms of parkinsonism are characterized by abnormal movements, bradykinesia (slow movement), and myoclonus (brief, sudden involuntary muscle twitching or jerking).