Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive disorder of the central nervous system, which affects more than one million Americans. Individuals with PD lack the substance dopamine, which is important for the central nervous system's control of muscle activity. Parkinson's disease is often characterized by tremors, stiffness in limbs and joints, speech impediments, and difficulty in initiating physical movement. Late in the course of the disease, some patients develop dementia and eventually Alzheimer's disease. Conversely, some Alzheimer patients develop symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Medications such as levodopa, which converts itself into dopamine once inside the brain, and depreynl, which prevents degeneration of dopamine-containing neurons, are used to improve, diminish, or reduce motor symptoms in PD patients, but do not correct the mental changes that occur.
Signs and Symptoms
By National Parkinson Foundation
The loss of dopamine production in the brain causes the primary symptoms of Parkinson's disease. The key signs of Parkinson's disease are:
Tremor (shaking)
Slowness of movement
Rigidity (stiffness)
Difficulty with balance
Other signs of Parkinson's disease may include:
Small, cramped handwriting
Stiff facial expression
Shuffling walk
Muffled speech
Depression
Who gets Parkinson's disease?
Parkinson's disease affects both men and women in almost equal numbers. It shows no social, ethnic, economic or geographic boundaries. In the United States, it is estimated that 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, joining the 1 million Americans who currently have Parkinson's disease. While the condition usually develops after the age of 65, 15% of those diagnosed are under 50.
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