Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a disease that leads to shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with walking, balance, and coordination. Aging is one of the main risk factors of Parkinson’s disease.

Both women and men can have it, however, men are more likely to be affected by the disease. Continue to read to learn more about Parkinson's disease!

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General Information

The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease progress over time, and gradually get worse. People may experience difficulties talking and walking, and have mental and behavioral changes. Additionally, sleep problems, depression, memory difficulties, and fatigue, are all common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

In 1817, English physician James Parkinson first published a comprehensive description of Parkinson’s disease titled An Essay on the Shaking Palsy. However, although Parkinson’s research was later recognized as a major work in the field, it received little attention for decades. In the 1870s, the disease was finally given its current name when the French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot named it to honor Parkinson’s studies. Charcot’s studies between 1868 and 1881 also became a landmark in the understanding of Parkinson’s disease when he made the distinction between rigidity, weakness, and bradykinesia as the disease progressed.

Causes

Several causes of Parkinson's disease are listed below.

1. Neurons in an area of the brain that controls movement become impaired and/or die.

The neurons that produce dopamine die or become impaird, which causes less production of dopamine, and leads to the movement problems in Parkinson’s. It is unclear what causes neurons that produce dopamine to die.

2. Loss of nerve endings that produce norepinephrine.

Norepinephrine controls many autonomic functions of the body such as heart rate and blood pressure. Loss of norepinephrine leads to the movement problems in Parkinson’s, as well as fatigue, irregular blood pressure, etc..

3. In some cases Parkinson’s appear to be hereditary, and a few can be traced to specific genetic mutations, but in most cases the disease occurs randomly and does not seem to run in families.

Symptoms

There are various symptoms of Parkinson's disease ranging from mild to severe. Below listed are the main symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

1. Tremor in hands, arms, legs, jaw, or head

2. Stiffness of the limbs and trunk

3. Slowness of movement

4. Impaired balance in coordination, sometimes leading to falls

5. Some other symptoms may include depression and other emotional changes; difficulty swallowing, chewing, and speaking; urinary problems or constipation; skin problems, and sleep disruptions

Early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are subtle and occur gradually. Symptoms often begin on one side of the body or even in one limb on one side of the body. As the disease progresses, it eventually affects both sides and the symptoms become more severe.

Cure

There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but medicines, surgical treatment, and other therapies can often relieve some symptoms.

Medicine

• Drugs that increase the level of dopamine in the brain

• Drugs that affect other brain chemicals in the body

• Drugs that help control nonmotor symptoms

Examples: take levodopa with carbidopa; dopamine agonists (mimic the role of dopamine in the brain); MAO-B inhibitors (slow down an enzyme that breaks down dopamine in the brain); COMT inhibitors (help break down dopamine); Amantadine (antiviral drug, reduces involuntary movements); Anticholinergic drugs(reduce tremors and muscle rigidity).

DBS

• Deep Brain Stimulation, or DBS is for the people with Parkinson’s who do not respond well to medications. It’s a surgical procedure that surgically implants electrodes into part of the brain and connects them to a small electrical device implanted in the chest. The brain will be painlessly stimulated which helps stop many of the movement-related symptoms of Parkinson’s such as tremor, slowness of movement, and rigidity.

Other therapies

• Other therapies that help with Parkinson’s symptoms include physical, occupational, and speech therapies. Additionally, keeping a healthy diet and exercising can help to strengthen muscles and improve balance.

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Hope this article helped you to learn more about Parkinson's disease. Thanks for reading!

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Written by: Benetta Wang

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Sources:

“1. A History of Parkinson’s Disease | ATrain Education.” ATrain Education, www.atrainceu.com/content/1-history-parkinson%E2%80%99s-disease. Accessed 23 Jan. 2021.

“Parkinson’s Disease.” National Institute on Aging, www.nia.nih.gov/health/parkinsons-disease#:%7E:text=Parkinson’s%20disease%20is%20a%20brain,have%20difficulty%20walking%20and%20talking. Accessed 23 Jan. 2021.

“Parkinson’s Disease: Hope Through Research | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.” National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Hope-Through-Research/Parkinsons-Disease-Hope-Through-Research. Accessed 23 Jan. 2021.

Lancastre, Joana. “Experimental Treatments for Parkinson’s Disease.” Parkinson’s News Today, 30 June 2017, parkinsonsnewstoday.com/experimental-treatments.