Spinocerebellar ataxia 3
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Is Machado Joseph disease a form of Parkinson's disease?

• Is Machado Joseph disease a form of Parkinson's disease?

• Is Machado Joseph disease a form of Parkinson's disease? (Back to Top)

• Machado Joseph disease, also called spinocerebellar ataxia 3, is an inherited movement disorder. It is not a form of Parkinson's disease. Some people with Machado Joseph disease have symptoms that are similar to Parkinson's disease, such as such as slowness of movement, stiffness of the limbs and trunk, trembling hands, and impaired balance and coordination.^[1] These affected individuals may be described as having "parkinsonism," which refers to any condition that causes Parkinson's-type abnormal movements.^[2]
  
• Last Reviewed: 5/5/2009

References  (Back)

1. Machado-Joseph Disease Fact Sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Website. April 24, 2009 Available at: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/machado_joseph/detail_machado_joseph.htm. Accessed May 4, 2009.
2. Hoch DB. Secondary parkinsonism. Medline Plus Web site. January 21, 2009 Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000759.htm. Accessed May 5, 2009.