What is Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD)?
CBD is a form of atypical parkinsonism (a parkinsonism-plus syndrome), which means that it shares some features with Parkinson’s disease such as stiffness (rigidity), tremor, slowness of movement (bradykinesia) and instability. CBD, however, is distinct from Parkinson’s disease in regards to other clinical features, including its response to treatment. CBD was first described by Rebeiz and colleagues in 1968. As the name implies, it results in gradual loss of nerve cells (neurodegeneration) in the surface of the brain (the cerebral cortical areas) as well as deep structures (the basal ganglia). These brain regions are heavily involved in the control of movement, so CBD causes problems with mobility. In contrast to other types of atypical parkinsonism, the neurodegeneration in CBD is markedly asymmetrical, thus the symptoms usually start on one side of body and remain worse on that half throughout the course of the disease.
