The akinetic crisis in Parkinson´s disease- the upper end of a spectrum of subacute akinetic states

Abstract

The akinetic crisis is defined as an acute, potentially life-threatening, levodopa-resistant, severe aggravation of rigidity, severe akinesia, associated with high fever, disturbance of consciousness, dysphagia and autonomic symptoms often due to disruption of dopaminergic medication or infections. The akinetic crisis is a relatively rare event, however subacute mild-moderate motor symptom deterioration in Parkinson´s disease (PD) patients is a frequent cause of hospitalization. In this review, we propose that the akinetic crisis is the upper end of a continuous spectrum of acute akinetic states depending on the degree of the progressive levodopa-resistance. Clinical symptomatology, risk factors, and instrumental diagnostics as the DAT-SPECT reflecting a biomarker of levodopa-resistance will be discussed to evaluate the spectrum of akinetic states. Pathophysiological considerations about the potential role of proinflammatory cytokines on the progressive levodopa-resistance will be discussed and therapeutical, consensus-based guidelines will be presented.