Parkinson’s Disease

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 specific 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
• Accelerating Medicines Partnership Launches Data Knowledge Portal for Parkinson’s Disease National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease and other Movement Disorders National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Parkinson’s Disease National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
• Progress in Parkinson’s: Deconstructing Dopamine Degeneration National Institutes of Health
• Protein Affected by Rare Parkinson’s Mutation May Lurk Behind Many Cases of the Disease National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Self-Tuning Brain Implant Could Help Treat Patients with Parkinson’s Disease National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Statistics Parkinson’s Foundation

Genetics

• About Parkinson’s Disease National Human Genome Research Institute
• Dopamine transporter deficiency syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Parkinson disease: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

Living With

• Activities of Daily Living Parkinson’s Foundation
• Diet & Nutrition Parkinson’s Foundation
• Exercise Parkinson’s Foundation
• Finding Care Parkinson’s Foundation
• For Care Partners Parkinson’s Foundation
• Living with Parkinson’s Parkinson’s Foundation
• Management & Lifestyle Parkinson’s Foundation
• Medical Marijuana Parkinson’s Foundation
• Mobility Parkinson’s Foundation
• New to Parkinson’s Parkinson’s Foundation

Reference Desk

• Brain Basics: The Life and Death of a Neuron National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Parkinson’s Today Blog Parkinson’s Foundation

Encyclopedia

• Brain PET scan Medical Encyclopedia
• Brain surgery Medical Encyclopedia
• Brain surgery – discharge Medical Encyclopedia

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Parkinson Disease National Institutes of Health

Related Issues

• Cognitive Changes Parkinson’s Foundation
• Conditions Related to Parkinson’s Parkinson’s Foundation
• Conditions that Mimic Parkinson’s Parkinson’s 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
• Pain Parkinson’s Foundation
• Parkinson’s Disease Dementia Alzheimer’s Association
• Sleep Disorders Parkinson’s Foundation
• Speech & Swallowing Issues Parkinson’s Foundation
• Stages of Parkinson’s Parkinson’s Foundation

Patient Handouts

• Deep brain stimulation Medical Encyclopedia
• Parkinson disease Medical Encyclopedia
• Secondary parkinsonism Medical Encyclopedia
• Swallowing problems Medical Encyclopedia

Treatments and Therapies

• Deep Brain Stimulation for Movement Disorders National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Over the Counter & Complementary Therapies Parkinson’s Foundation
• Prescription Medications Parkinson’s Foundation
• Treatment Parkinson’s Foundation

Diagnosis and Tests

• Getting Diagnosed Parkinson’s Foundation

Symptoms

• Movement Symptoms Parkinson’s Foundation
• Non-Movement Symptoms Parkinson’s Foundation

Find an Expert

• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Videos and Tutorials

• Parkinson disease Medical Encyclopedia
• Parkinson’s Disease Library: Videos Parkinson’s Foundation

Start Here

• Parkinson’s Disease Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Parkinson’s Disease National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• What Is Parkinson’s Disease? Parkinson’s Foundation

Children

• Parkinson’s Disease Nemours Foundation

Journal Articles

• Parkinson’s disease

Specifics

• Young-Onset Parkinson’s Parkinson’s Foundation