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Integrated Neurological Services
82 Hampton Road, Twickenham, TW2 5QS
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  1. Living with a neurological condition
  2. Parkinson's

Parkinsons

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive condition caused by reduced levels of a chemical called dopamine in the brain. This can cause tremor, slowness of movement and rigidity of muscles.

Parkinson’s is a chronic and advancing neurological condition. Clinical presentation is considered to result from the increasing deterioration and death of dopamine-producing neurons located within the basal ganglia situated at the base of the forebrain. The resulting shortage of dopamine is believed to be one of the major factors in the development and progression of Parkinson’s symptoms. The basal ganglia play a key role in well-learnt, voluntary and semi-automatic motor skills and movement. The dopamine they produce also supports cognitive skills such as, attentional and executive abilities, motivation, mood and visual perception. Further changes in associated brain regions and in other neurotransmitters are also believed to be involved in Parkinson’s.


Parkinson’s progresses into a highly complex condition with most people experiencing physical, cognitive and emotional symptoms. The results affect a breadth of activities and limit participation in everyday life.
Currently, no conclusive scan or test can diagnose Parkinson’s. Physical examination and self-reporting would determine, through clinical evaluation, a diagnosis. Typical motor symptoms seen in Parkinson’s are also present in a variety of associated, but distinct, Parkinsonian disorders. These include conditions such as Lewy body dementia, multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). These have a distinct prognosis and therefore require different approaches to those used for Parkinson’s.


‘Parkinson’s is a common neurodegenerative disorder and the average age at diagnosis is older than 60 years. The incidence and prevalence of Parkinson’s in the UK has recently been reviewed and as a result in late 2017 it was estimated that around 145,000 people in the UK have been diagnosed with the condition; that’s about one in 350 adults in the UK. And, Parkinson’s diagnoses are set to rise by nearly a fifth by 2025’ (Parkinson’s UK 2017).

The main motor symptoms of Parkinson’s are:

  • Akinesia: poverty of movement
  • Bradykinesia: slowness of movement
  • Hypokinesia: reduced scaling of movements, affecting many motor activities, including balance, co-ordination, speech, swallowing, handwriting, and facial expression
  • Rigidity: raised and sustained high muscle tone and stiffness
  • Rest tremor: involuntary fine movements, which usually begin in one hand or leg. This symptom only affects about 70 per cent of people with Parkinson’s
  • Postural instability

Non-motor symptoms include:

  • Autonomic failure: for example, a sudden fall in blood pressure on rising from lying or sitting, extreme sweating or episodes of feeling very hot or very cold
  • Continence problems, including, constipation, urine urgency and nocturia
  • Sexual health issues: for example, erectile dysfunction or reduced libido
  • Fatigue
  • Pain
  • Sleep disturbances, including insomnia and/or disturbing dreams
  • Cognitive impairments are seen in approximately 75% of people with Parkinson’s
  • Visual hallucinations
  • Dementia

INS Programme

INS has resumed more face-to-face services. We continue to support our clients and carers by offering virtual group sessions via Zoom videolink and face-to-face sessions at our base in Twickenham- please see below for details of our current programme. Read more

Published: 13th November, 2017

Updated: 30th June, 2022

Author:

Groups and activities

INS offers a variety of long term and short-term groups. Some of these groups are for people with a specific neurological condition, while others are open to all neurological conditions. Our groups focus on different areas; some are exercise based, others focus on managing symptoms, while others provide you with an opportunity to try out different activities. Read more

Published: 13th November, 2017

Updated: 24th May, 2022

Author:

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Latest

  • Latest news

    Latest news

    Find out what's been happening at INS in our latest Newsletter... INS face-to-face groups have now resumed but we continue to support our clients through video and phone contact... A hugely positive response to INS online sessions during lockdown... Over 150 people, including then Twickenham MP Sir Vince Cable, and the Mayors of Richmond and Hounslow, joined service users, staff and volunteers at York House for INS 25th Anniversary event on 17 October 2019...

  • INS Newsletter

    INS Newsletter

    Details of what's been happening at INS in recent months and plans for the coming weeks in our latest Newsletter... Find out how INS has adapted to increased face-to-face work with our clients and carers, while maintaining many of our popular online groups... We also share some of the experiences of our clients, tell you about new activities, and introduce you to the latest INS team members... Also details of how to get your copy of INS in Lockdown from our Creative Writing group and much more!

  • INS Case for Support

    Find out why INS exists, how we respond to people's needs, and the hugely positive impact that we have.

  • Our Staff Team

    The INS Team includes 13 staff, both full-time and part-time, with generous support from our many volunteers. Sarah Vines began work at INS in August 2020 as our Chief Executive and Clinical Lead.

Most read

  • INS Programme

    INS has resumed more face-to-face services. We continue to support our clients and carers by offering virtual group sessions via Zoom videolink and face-to-face sessions at our base in Twickenham- please see below for details of our current programme.

  • Latest news

    Latest news

    Find out what's been happening at INS in our latest Newsletter... INS face-to-face groups have now resumed but we continue to support our clients through video and phone contact... A hugely positive response to INS online sessions during lockdown... Over 150 people, including then Twickenham MP Sir Vince Cable, and the Mayors of Richmond and Hounslow, joined service users, staff and volunteers at York House for INS 25th Anniversary event on 17 October 2019...

  • Working for INS

    Come and join our team.

  • What is a neurological condition?

    A neurological condition is a disease, illness or trauma that affects the central or peripheral nervous system. Examples of symptoms include paralysis, tremor, cognitive difficulties, muscle weakness, poor coordination, loss of sensation, seizures, confusion, pain and altered levels of consciousness.

  • Our Staff Team

    The INS Team includes 13 staff, both full-time and part-time, with generous support from our many volunteers. Sarah Vines began work at INS in August 2020 as our Chief Executive and Clinical Lead.

  • Groups and activities

    INS offers a variety of long term and short-term groups. Some of these groups are for people with a specific neurological condition, while others are open to all neurological conditions. Our groups focus on different areas; some are exercise based, others focus on managing symptoms, while others provide you with an opportunity to try out different activities.

  • Volunteer opportunities

    INS welcomes anybody who is willing to offer their skills and some of their time to assist us in all areas of our work. We already have a team of invaluable volunteers who help us in many ways but we are currently looking for more support.

  • INS Newsletter

    INS Newsletter

    Details of what's been happening at INS in recent months and plans for the coming weeks in our latest Newsletter... Find out how INS has adapted to increased face-to-face work with our clients and carers, while maintaining many of our popular online groups... We also share some of the experiences of our clients, tell you about new activities, and introduce you to the latest INS team members... Also details of how to get your copy of INS in Lockdown from our Creative Writing group and much more!

  • Where we work

    Integrated Neurological Services (INS) provides support primarily to people who live in the London boroughs of Richmond and Hounslow. However, we may still be able to offer support to people living just outside this area (eg. in Kingston, Wandsworth, Ealing) who are within reach of our base in Twickenham.

  • Donate

    Your donation can make a difference to the lives of people with a neurological condition. Donate, hold an event, take part in a challenge - whatever you can do will make a difference.

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