About Parkinson's Disease

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Parkinson's disease is a progressive disorder of the central nervous system. It is estimated that 1.5 million Americans have Parkinson's disease.

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 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. While the condition usually develops after the age of 65, 15% of those diagnosed are under the age of 50.

What causes Parkinson's disease?

The cause is likely due to a slight genetic tendency that is triggered by a toxin. Onset before age 45 often has a strong genetic cause and predictability.

How is Parkinson’s disease diagnosed?

For the neurologist with experience in movement disorders, making the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) is not usually difficult.  What is important, though, is that there are conditions that mimic the signs and symptoms of PD that need to be ruled out first. While a PD diagnosis is made clinically without the need for elaborate diagnostic testing (i.e. MRI/CT Scans or blood tests), these "look-a-like" conditions may require some of these types of tests.  For this reason, people suspected of having Parkinson’s disease should consider seeking the care of a neurologist who specializes in Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders. 

What is the treatment for Parkinson’s disease?

Medication

There are a number of effective medicines that help to ease the symptoms on Parkinson's disease. Most symptoms are caused by a lack of dopamine. The medicines most commonly used will attempt to either replace or mimic dopamine, which improves the tremor, rigidity and slowness associated with Parkinson's disease. Several new medicines are being studies that may slow the progression. Many promise to improve the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease.

Deep brain stimulation

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) uses one or two surgically implanted medical devices called neurostimulators, similar to cardiac pacemakers, to deliver electrical stimulation to precisely targeted areas on each side of the brain. Stimulation of these areas appears to block the signals that cause the disabling motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease. As a result, many patients achieve greater control over their body movements.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery has earned FDA approval and its success and safety, in well chosen patients, is now well demonstrated.

Research

Research around Parkinson's disease holds great promise. Scientists are looking at stem cell and gene transfer techniques aimed at restoring lost brain cell function.