Akinesia refers to the absence of movement, while bradykinesia refers to slowness of movement. Both are cardinal features of extrapyramidal disease, such as Parkinsonism.
Here's a breakdown of the key differences:
| Feature | Akinesia | Bradykinesia |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Absence of movement. | Slowness of movement. |
| Description | Inability to initiate movement. | Difficulty in executing movements at a normal speed. |
| Example | Difficulty starting to walk or get out of a chair. | Shuffling gait, slow speech. |
Akinesia, hypokinesia (abnormally decreased movement), and bradykinesia are often seen together in conditions affecting the extrapyramidal system, which controls motor function. Some neurologists describe parkinsonism as an akinetic-rigid syndrome, highlighting the importance of akinesia in the disease.
