Parkinsonism

Abstract

A review of the history, classification, clinical features, biochemical features and treatment of Parkinsonism is presented. In the experimental section the behavioural effects of Manganese poisoning (which can cause Symptomatic Parkinsonism in man) on rats were investigated. Rats were fed Manganese Chloride, dissolved in their drinking water, for ten weeks, and then tested against control rats, given tap water, on locomotor activity, catalepsy and coordination ability. Differences were noted in the catalepsy tests and, most interestingly, in the coordination tests, where a reduced coordination ability in Manganese poisoned rats was alleviated by the administration of either L-dopa or 5-HTP. It is suggested that further investigation into the role of serotonin in Symptomatic Parkinsonism should be made.