Parkinson’s Disease Also called: Paralysis agitans, Shaking palsy Summary Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a type of movement disorder. It happens when nerve cells in the brain don’t produce enough of a brain chemical called dopamine. Sometimes it is genetic, but most cases do not seem to run in families. Exposure to chemicals in the environment might play a role. Symptoms begin gradually, often on one side of the body. Later they affect both sides. They include Trembling of hands, arms, legs, jaw and face Stiffness of the arms, legs and trunk Slowness of movement Poor balance and coordination As symptoms get worse, people with the disease may have trouble walking, talking, or doing simple tasks. They may also have problems such as depression, sleep problems, or trouble chewing, swallowing, or speaking. There is no lab test for PD, so it can be difficult to diagnose. Doctors use a medical history and a neurological examination to diagnose it. PD usually begins around age 60, but it can start earlier. It is more common in men than in women. There is no cure for PD. A variety of medicines sometimes help symptoms dramatically. Surgery and deep brain stimulation (DBS) can help severe cases. With DBS, electrodes are surgically implanted in the brain. They send electrical pulses to stimulate the parts of the brain that control movement. NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Statistics and Research Ability to Consent to Parkinson Disease Research American Academy of Neurology Brain May Compensate for Dopamine Neuron Loss Early in Parkinson’s Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Monster Mash: Protein Folding Gone Wrong National Institute of General Medical Sciences Novel Formulation of Levodopa May Ease Parkinson’s Symptoms with Fewer Pills Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Occupational Therapy Can Benefit People with Parkinson’s Disease Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Parkinson’s Disease Research Web – Information for Patients and Caregivers National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke People with Gaucher Disease at Seven to Nine Percent Risk of Developing Parkinson’s Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Salivary Gland Biopsy Shows Promise to Helping to Diagnose Parkinson’s Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Too Much Protein May Kill Brain Cells As Parkinson’s Progresses National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Related Issues Activities of Daily Living National Parkinson Foundation, Inc. Can You Have Parkinsonism without Having PD? National Parkinson Foundation, Inc. Caregiving National Parkinson Foundation, Inc. Cognitive Changes National Parkinson Foundation, Inc. Coping with Symptoms Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Driving When You Have Parkinson’s Disease National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Essential Tremor vs. Parkinson’s Disease: How Do They Differ? International Essential Tremor Foundation Gambling, Sex, and…Parkinson’s Disease? Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Orthostatic Hypotension (Low Blood Pressure) and Parkinson’s Disease Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Pain in Parkinson’s Disease Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Parkinson’s Disease Dementia Alzheimer’s Association Parkinsonism: Causes and Coping Strategies Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Progression of Parkinson’s Disease Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Speech and Swallowing National Parkinson Foundation, Inc. What Causes Parkinson’s? Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Living With Advice for the Newly Diagnosed Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research Coping with a Diagnosis Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Increasing Mobility Confidence National Parkinson Foundation, Inc. Living with Parkinson’s Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Managing Advanced Parkinson Disease National Parkinson Foundation, Inc. Managing Your Parkinson’s Disease Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Nutrition National Parkinson Foundation, Inc. Nutrition and Parkinson’s Disease: What Matters Most? Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Encyclopedia Brain PET scan Brain surgery Brain surgery – discharge Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Parkinson Disease National Institutes of Health Treatments and Therapies Complementary Treatment National Parkinson Foundation, Inc. Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson’s Disease National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke How Is Parkinson’s Disease Treated? National Parkinson Foundation, Inc. Parkinson Disease Treatment Options – Education, Support, and Therapy (Beyond the Basics) UpToDate Parkinson Disease Treatment Options – Medications (Beyond the Basics) UpToDate Array Deep brain stimulation Parkinson disease Parkinson’s disease Secondary parkinsonism Swallowing problems NIH MedlinePlus Magazine Dream Robber: Living with Parkinson’s Disease Living Well with Parkinson’s Disease Is an Art Michael J. Fox: Spurring Research on Parkinson’s NIH Research: Advances in Parkinson’s Disease Research Parkinson’s Disease Research at NIH Parkinson’s Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment Parkinson’s Disease: New Research Offers Hope for Better Diagnosis and Treatments Parkinson’s Disease: Research Parkinson’s Disease: The Newest Advances Unraveling Parkinson’s: Three Clues What Are the Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease? Find an Expert Find a Neurologist American Academy of Neurology National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Genetics Genetics Home Reference: dopamine transporter deficiency syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Parkinson disease National Library of Medicine Learning about Parkinson’s Disease National Human Genome Research Institute Diagnosis and Tests How Does Your Doctor Make a PD Diagnosis? National Parkinson Foundation, Inc. Screening and Treatment for Depression, Dementia, and Psychosis with Parkinson Disease American Academy of Neurology Reference Desk Life and Death of a Neuron National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Newsletter Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Start Here Parkinson’s Disease National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Parkinson’s Disease National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Parkinson’s Disease Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Parkinson’s Disease: Hope through Research National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke What Is Parkinson’s Disease? Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Children Parkinson’s Disease Nemours Foundation Seniors Parkinson’s Disease National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Journal Articles Causes of Parkinson’s disease Parkinson’s disease Symptoms Symptoms of Parkinson’s Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Specifics Young-Onset Parkinson’s National Parkinson Foundation, Inc. Latest News Thought Processing a Concern of Parkinson’s Patients, Study Says HealthDay Rosacea Might Boost Parkinson’s Risk HealthDay Antipsychotic Drugs Tied to Risk of Early Death in Parkinson’s Patients HealthDay
