OTHER CAUSES OF PARKINSONISM

This chapter deals with the 'other' causes of parkinsonism with the ex clusion of idiopathic Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, pr ogressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal degeneration. It is a cu rsory glance over the endless list of 'secondary' causes of parkinsoni sm or parkinsonism due to acquired and inherited metabolic and neurode generative diseases. With the exception of drug-induced parkinsonism a nd 'vascular' parkinsonism, most such cases are rare. However, single rare causes must not be overlooked as there can be specific therapeuti c consequences. Parkinsonism is often present amid a constellation of other symptoms. Careful evaluation of the personal, familial and envir onmental context, mode of onset and progression, clinical features, an d drug response, together with imaging, biochemical and molecular test s, help in determining the underlying disease.