Dyskinesia is involuntary, irregular movement that can occur as a complication of long-term levodopa use combined with a longer course of Parkinson's disease (PD). It doesn't happen in everyone, and it occurs to different degrees. In some people, it may be painful or bothersome. Others actually prefer the extra movement of dyskinesia to being rigid or otherwise unable to move because of PD. (Dyskinesia is typically present when other Parkinson's symptoms, such as tremor and stiffness, are under good control.) If dyskinesia occurs, medication adjustments may help.
Watch the video to learn about why dyskinesia occurs, how it's currently treated and what research is ongoing to find better treatments.
Watch a webinar on dyskinesia.
Thank you to our Parkinson's Disease Education Consortium members. While our generous sponsors make our educational offerings possible, their support does not influence MJFF's content or perspective.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation is grateful to The Edmond J. Safra Foundation for its support of the dyskinesia rating scale that helped bring this treatment to people with Parkinson's.
