The symptoms of akinesia in patients with Parkinson''s disease have been described as motor impairment resembling fatigue that is not related to tremor. As shown by the ergogram, the fall-off can be temporarily altered by a brief rise in motivation. It is related to abnormal eeg''s; cortical atrophy by air studies; sensitivity to belladonna and sedative drugs; and loss of intellectual ability, alertness, and motivational drive. It is made worse by the usual medications and sedatives and by neurosurgical intervention. It is helped slightly by analeptics, physiotherapy, and devoted and understanding families.