Facts About Parkinson Disease

~ Parkinson Disease is a chronic, degenerative, neurological disease in which the substantia nigra region of the brain looses its ability to produce the chemical messenger “dopamine”.

~ There is no known cure for Parkinson Disease.

~ The side effects of current treatments for Parkinson Disease can be as disabling as the disease itself.

~ Parkinson Disease (PD) is the most common and best understood neurological disease.

~ PD is the least funded of all neurological disorders.

~ There are more people diagnosed with PD than with Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS-Lou Gehrig’s Disease and the next 3 most common neurological disorders combined.

~ Every nine minutes someone in the country is diagnosed with Parkinson Disease. Compare that to Multiple Sclerosis where there is one diagnosis per hour.

~ PD can strike anyone, at any age and does not discriminate by sex, race, National origin.

~ It is widely accepted that a cure for PD will lead to cures for many other neurological disorders including Alzheimers Disease.

~ By the time a person is diagnosed with having PD, they have already lost approximately 80% of the dopamine producing ability of the brain. Dopamine is the chemical messenger responsible for sending movement signals from the brain to the rest of the body.

~ It is not known what triggers the loss of the dopamine producing ability. A combination of genetics and environment are suspected in most cases.

Frequently Asked Questions---Parkinson's 101

* What is Parkinson's Disease?
* Who gets PD?
* What are some of the symptoms of PD?
* Is PD Inherited?
* When should I start taking medicine?
* Is PD Genetic?

What is Parkinson's Disease?

PD is a disorder of the central nervous system, involving, primarily, a degeneration of certain nerve cells in the basal ganglia region of the brain, and more particularly in the area of the brainstem called the substantia nigra. These cells produce the neurochemical messenger dopamine. Dopamine is the messenger responsible for starting a message that coordinates movement. With a substantial loss of Dopamine (80% or more), the neurons in the receiving area (dopamine receptors) are not adequately stimulated. This causes a type of short circuit reaction, much like an electrical short that causes a lamp to blink or go out. The result of this short circuit is impairment of movement, tremor, stiffness, and/or balance problems among other symptoms.

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Who gets PD?

PD occurs in about the same proportions in men and women throughout the world. Initial symptoms may appear at any age, however under 40 is uncommon and under 20 is very rare (but it happens!). Most commonly, the first symptoms are noted in the 60's and 70's.

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What are some of the symptoms of PD?

* Weakness: The first symptoms of PD may vary from patient to patient, but commonly a feeling of weakness or fatigue may occur, although if tested all individual muscles would appear strong. The weakness may be more of a vague problem getting started or a slower speed of movement.
* Tremor: Initial symptoms usually occur only on one side of the body. Although tremor is a very common first complaint or the first symptom noticed, not everyone who has PD ever develops a tremor. The most common form of tremor is a resting tremor (when the limb is not in use) such a pill rolling movement in the fingers and hands.
* Masked face: A lack of facial expression or the Parkinson Mask is a classic early symptom. The person with PD will usually be one of the last to notice a lack of facial expression.
* Arm Swing: A lack of arm swing or dragging a foot or leg (usually on the same side as the tremor if tremor is occurs) is another first sign.
* Drooling and Depression: Also seen in the early stages are drooling, particularly at night and depression or anxiety.
*Rigidity: Increase in muscle tone at rest or throughout the entire range of movement. This may be felt as stiffness or lack of flexibility.
*Bradykinisia: Slow movement
*Micrographia: Small cramped handwriting

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When do you start taking medicine?

If you are still working, this may be a very important question. When early symptoms begin to interfere with work or activities of daily living, initiation of anti-parkinson therapy is indicated. It is important to remember that the symptoms of PD, most commonly tremor, may be uncovered or aggravated by stress and stressful situations.

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Is PD Inherited?

Although there is a rare instance of PD running in families, most cases of PD have no know origin and are called idiopathic Parkinson's. (Idiopathic means without origin)

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Is PD Genetic?

Most researchers believe that PD is triggered by exposure to a yet unidentified chemical in food, water air in a person who has a genetic vulnerability to that chemical. Experts disagree on whether the exposure (environment) or the vulnerability (genetics) is more important in triggering the PD.

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