Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson's disease is a progressive disorder that develops when the brain cells that produce dopamine (a chemical involved in movement) stop working or die. When this happens, symptoms like slowed movements, muscle stiffness, tremors, and balance problems can occur. Although there is no cure for Parkinson's disease, medications and surgery can help relieve some of the symptoms.
Understanding Parkinson’s Disease
Key Terms
- Alpha-synuclein
Alpha-synuclein is a protein in the human brain that’s involved in the release of dopamine, an important neurotransmitter. In Parkinson’s disease, alpha-synuclein is abnormally folded, which causes it to clump up in dopamine-producing neurons and form a mass called a Lewy body. Lewy bodies destroy neurons, leading to dopamine deficiency and symptoms of Parkinson’s.
- Bradykinesia
Bradykinesia is the term for the distinctive slow movements of people with Parkinson’s disease. It is the cardinal symptom of the disease and necessary for the diagnosis. Along with tremors and muscle rigidity, it’s one of the three core symptoms experienced by everyone with the disease. Bradykinesia can cause a shuffling kind of walk, slow speech, and difficulty with fine motor control.
- Dopamine
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, meaning it’s a special substance that transmits chemical messages from one neuron (brain or nerve cell) to another. Dopamine is highly involved with how your body moves. In Parkinson’s disease, the cells that produce dopamine die, leading to dopamine deficiency. This leads to symptoms such as tremors, impaired balance, and slow movement.
- Lewy Bodies
Lewy bodies are abnormal clumps that form in brain cells that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine. They’re toxic and mainly made up of a protein called alpha-synuclein. Lewy bodies kill the dopamine-producing cells, which leads to dopamine depletion and causes Parkinson’s symptoms. Lewy bodies can cause two types of dementia: dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s dementia.
- Neurological Disorder
Neurological disorders are medical conditions involving dysfunction of the brain and nerves. They’re typically treated by neurologists. Common neurological disorders include Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy.
- Neurons
Neurons are nerve or brain cells. While they’re largely similar to other cells throughout your body, neurons have the specialized ability to transmit signals around your body and brain. They do this by releasing chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) into the gaps between themselves and neighboring cells. Parkinson’s disease involves low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine.
- Tremor
A tremor is an involuntary shaking or quivering movement. Many types of tremor exist. Parkinson’s disease involves a resting tremor, which is most noticeable when the shaking body part is at rest and diminishes with movement. Some people have a Parkinsonian tremor without having Parkinson’s disease. Another common type is essential tremor, which occurs when the body part is being used.
Types
Symptoms
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
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Experts haven’t pinned down the exact cause, but it’s believed that Parkinson’s is caused by certain genes and environmental factors, like exposure to toxins. This leads to brain changes, which may play causal roles. They are:
- Death of brain cells that produce dopamine
- Neurodegeneration
- Lewy body accumulation
Learn More Causes of Parkinson's Disease -
It’s believed to be, at least in part. Experts don’t know the exact cause(s) yet, but they believe Parkinson’s disease may be caused by a complex interaction between your genes and your environment, which may include toxins like pesticides. Only about 14% of people with the disease have a first-degree relative with Parkinson’s. Risk factors include being over age 60 and being biologically male.
Learn More Parkinson’s Disease Causes and Risk Factors -
The earliest symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are often non-motor symptoms, including:
- Constipation
- Depression and anxiety
- Reduced sense of smell
- REM sleep behavior disorder (having vivid dreams, nightmares, acting out in your dreams)
These symptoms result from neurological changes that will eventually lead to classic Parkinson’s symptoms like tremor, slowness and other movement problems.
Learn More Early Signs of Parkinson’s Disease -
Parkinson’s progresses through these stages over time:
- Mild symptoms, one side of body
- Symptoms on both sides of your body
- Balance is impaired, movement slows down, disability is apparent
- Severe symptoms limit daily activities, movement and walking impairments with falls
- Inability to care for yourself, wheelchair is necessary, dementia is possible
Treatment can prevent progression to later stages.
Learn More The Stages of Parkinson’s Disease -
Thus far, there’s no known way to prevent Parkinson’s disease. Genetic testing can tell you your risk, which may help with earlier diagnosis and treatment. That, in turn, may slow the progression of the disease. However, it’s not yet possible to prevent the disease from developing.
Learn More Genetic Testing for Parkinson’s Disease -
Parkinson’s disease currently has no known cure. However, a number of treatments can ease the symptoms and researchers are always learning more about how to possibly slow down the progression of the disease.
Learn More Treating Parkinson’s Disease