Facts About Parkinson’s Disease
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Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic neurological condition named
after Dr. James Parkinson, a London physician who was the first to
describe the syndrome in 1817.
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PD is a slowly progressive disease that affects a small area of cells
in the mid brain. Gradual degeneration of these cells causes a reduction
in a vital chemical known as "dopamine". This decrease in
dopamine can produce one or more of the classic signs of Parkinson's
disease:
- resting tremor on one side of the body;
- generalized slowness of movement (bradykinesia);
- stiffness of limbs (rigidity); and
- gait or balance problems (postural dysfunction
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It is estimated that up to 1.5 million Americans are affected, more
persons than those suffering from Multiple Sclerosis and Muscular
Dystrophy combined.
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Although 15% of patients are diagnosed before age 50, PD is
generally considered a disease which targets older adults.
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Parkinson's disease affects one of every 100 persons over the age
of 60. Thanks to public health strides and healthier lifestyle choices,
many people now live well into their eighties, adding to the impression
that the incidence of Parkinson's disease is increasing.
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While there is as yet no cure for this condition, progressive treatments
allow many patients to maintain a high level of function throughout
their lifetimes. It is crucial to note that Parkinson's disease
is not a fatal illness.
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The cause of Parkinson's disease remains a mystery. Most people who
develop symptoms of primary Parkinson's disease have "Idiopathic
Parkinson's Disease"..(idiopathic meaning the etiology or exact
cause is unknown). Patients may attempt to link the onset of Parkinson
symptoms with some acute trauma...an accident, surgery, or extreme
emotional distress. Most neurologists discount any direct link; a
traumatic event might trigger symptoms before they would otherwise
manifest, but this should not be confused with actual causation of
the Parkinsonism. After all, most people who experience these traumatic
events do not develop a movement disorder such as PD.
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Is PD Inherited?
There is a family history of Parkinson disease in 5-10% of patients. It
may affect people of the same generation (e.g., a brother or sister) or in two
generations, such as a father and son. Environmental toxins such as manganese,
carbon monoxide, and, rarely, certain pesticides cause diseases that resemble
PD. However, most people with Parkinson disease have not been exposed to
these toxins. In less than 1% of cases, PD is clearly familial. Several
gene mutations have been shown to cause Parkinson disease in a few families,
but these have not been found in most individuals with PD. Studies of identical
twins in which one twin was known to have PD showed no increase in the incidence
of PD in the other twin compared to the general population of patients over the
age of 60 years. However, among identical twins younger than 50, if one
member of the twinship has Parkinson disease, there is an increased risk of PD
in the other twin. This indicates heredity may play a role in young-onset cases. Currently,
researchers suspect that the cause of Parkinson disease in most individuals reflects
a combination of genetic factors and environmental exposures.
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To date, there is no known prevention or cure for Parkinson's Disease.
It would be a mistake for newly diagnosed patients to drift from doctor
to doctor looking for a "magic bullet" or miracle drug to
completely eliminate all symptoms of PD.
Source: National Parkinson Foundation
CNI
Movement Disorders Center Home Page
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