TENDON JERKS IN PARKINSONS-DISEASE

Tendon reflexes were examined in 119 patients with idiopathic parkinso nism (IF) and 40 spouse controls to estimate the type and frequency of any alterations in the reflexes. Forty one of 119 patients and 2 of 4 0 controls had reflex ratings of 3+ at two or more sites (p < 0.001). There was no correlation of reflex score with the severity of disease or with the cardinal signs of IF. In 21 patients with asymmetric tendo n jerks the side with the more active reflexes correlated with the sid e with greater parkinsonian signs. We conclude that an increase in ten don jerks is a feature of IF. The pathophysiology of this change in re flexes should be investigated further to establish if it is a heretofo re overlooked manifestation of basal ganglia dysfunction or a link wit h other neurodegenerative diseases.