Which of the following is NOT a typical sign of Parkinson's disease?

• A. Mask-like blank expression
• B. Pill-rolling tremor
• C. Shuffling gait
• D. Frequent smiling

Answer: (D)

Parkinson's disease mainly involves motor slowing, stiffness, tremor at rest, and reduced facial expressiveness due to impairment in dopamine pathways. A mask-like facial expression, or hypomimia, is a classic sign because the facial muscles don’t move as much, giving a scarcely expressive face. The pill-rolling tremor—where the thumb and fingers appear to roll a small object—occurs at rest and is another hallmark feature of the disease. A shuffling gait with small steps and reduced arm swing reflects bradykinesia and rigidity affecting walking. Frequent smiling, however, is not typical of Parkinson's. The condition tends to blunt facial expression rather than produce frequent, spontaneous smiles; other conditions can cause inappropriate or exaggerated emotional expressions, but those aren’t characteristic of Parkinson's.