Secondary and atypical parkinsonism

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Secondary parkinsonism refers to a group of disorders that have features similar to those of Parkinson disease but have a different etiology. Atypical parkinsonism refers to a group of neurodegenerative disorders other than Parkinson disease that have some features of Parkinson disease but have some different clinical features and a different pathology. Diagnosis is by clinical evaluation and response to levodopa . Treatment is directed at the cause when possible.
(See also Overview of Movement and Cerebellar Disorders.)
In secondary parkinsonism, the mechanism is blockade of or interference with dopamine ’s action in the basal ganglia.
Atypical parkinsonism encompasses neurodegenerative disorders such as progressive supranuclear palsy, dementia with Lewy bodies, corticobasal ganglionic degeneration, and multiple system atrophy.