Post-encephalitic Parkinson’s syndrome

In post-encephalitic Parkinson’s syndrome, the patient develops symptoms similar to those of Parkinson’s disease, although typically affecting only one side of the body. A common complaint with this specific form of parkinsonism is cramping of the eye muscles.

Symptoms also tend to appear earlier, on average when the patient is between forty and fifty years old.

The encephalitis involved is not the same as meningitis. In the early 20th century, a global encephalitis epidemic occurred. Among the countless victims were many who later developed a Parkinson-like syndrome. The first symptoms usually appeared years after the epidemic had ended.

Another term for post-encephalitic Parkinson’s syndrome is hypokinetic-rigid syndrome. This label is used when slowed movement (bradykinesia) is present along with at least one other motor symptom.