Question

Akathisia refers to?

1) restlessness and dysphoria
2) shuffling gait and tremor
3) apathy and decrease in voluntary movements
4) involuntary movements of the face and limbs

Answer 1

Akathisia refers to option 1) restlessness and dysphoria, which is a condition of feeling uneasy and having an uncontrollable urge to move.

Step-by-step explanation:

Akathisia refers to a condition characterized by restlessness and a strong urge to move. Specifically, if we look at the provided options, akathisia most closely aligns with option 1) restlessness and dysphoria. It is a common side effect of certain medications, particularly antipsychotics and neuroleptic drugs, and can also be a symptom of Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders. Parkinson's disease itself is marked by symptoms like muscle tremor, muscle rigidity, slowness of movement, and postural instability. However, the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as shuffling gait and tremor, primarily stem from the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra, which is different from the restlessness found in akathisia.