bradykinesia
Pronunciation: brad-ee-kih-NEE-zee-ah
Abnormally slow movement, a cardinal symptom of Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders.
Full Definition
Bradykinesia refers to slowness of voluntary movement and is one of the primary motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease and other parkinsonian syndromes. It manifests as difficulty initiating movement, reduced speed of movement execution, and progressive reduction in amplitude during repetitive tasks. Clinical assessment often involves observing finger tapping, hand movements, and gait patterns. The term is frequently documented in movement disorder evaluations and neurological examinations, requiring careful distinction from other movement abnormalities.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from akinesia (absence of movement) and hypokinesia (reduced amplitude of movement).
In Context
- "The patient demonstrated marked bradykinesia during finger-to-nose testing." — Neurological examination note
- "Dopamine replacement therapy resulted in improvement of bradykinesia and tremor." — Treatment response assessment