Reply To: “Brain storms” by Jon Palfreman (Year 2)

[Anonymous]

Yes, I found it really fascinating myself, too! This phenomenon is sometimes called kinesia paradoxica. Parkies experience this when they are able to do some things, to function normally in certain situations and under other circumstances they are not. For example, they may have trouble walking, but they can ice skate or ride a bike, as you mentioned. There are several concepts why it is possible — some say it may be because one activity is neurologically simpler than another, others may say that some automatic motor programs get activated in specific situations by some external triggers, like visual cues.