Parkinson's Disease

The information presented here is meant to be an introductory synopsis of Parkinson's Disease meant to provide informational resources to the lay person.

This site disclaims any liability and responsibility in connection with the readers use of this information.

Please seek the guidance of a qualified professional for medical assistance.

What is Parkinson's Disease ?

PD

It is a chronic, progressive disease that results when nerve cells in a part of the midbrain, called the substantia nigra, die or are impaired.

After Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease.

Currently, researchers suspect that the cause of Parkinson disease in most individuals reflects a combination of genetic factors and environmental exposures.

When 80% of the dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra are depleted, symptoms of PD develop.

Prognosis

It is not possible to predict with any confidence the likely course of the disease in an individual patient.

When the disorder is such that normal activities of daily living are impaired, at least to some extent, symptomatic treatment is begun.

A List of Symptoms

Shaking of a limb while at rest
Slowness of movement (bradykinesia)
Stiffness of the limbs or trunk
Poor balance

Treatment Alternatives

At this time no treatment has been shown to slow or stop the progression of this disease.

Treatment is directed at relieving the symptoms of the disease.

The introduction of levodopa (or L-dopa) treatment more than 30 years ago revolutionized treatment of Parkinson disease. Medications called dopamine agonists may be used in place of levodopa or in combination with it. Other medications are amantadine, anticholinergic medications, and selegiline.

However, when medication adjustments do not improve mobility or when medications cause significant side effects, surgical treatment may be considered.

Free Information

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Free Publications

The Link List

National Parkinson Foundation: National Parkinson Foundation
The Michael J. Fox Foundation: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the development of a cure for Parkinson's disease through an aggressively funded research agenda.
Healthology: /Find Parkinson's Disease health articles and videos and other Parkinson's Disease health topics
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Good Morning Yahoo!: Good Morning Yahoo!!!
1 man, 1 day, 100 skydives to battle Parkinson's
video

Books on Parkinson's

Life aide products on Amazon

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DVD's on Parkinson's

Jobs

Post-doctoral Scientist - Parkinson's Disease: Eli Lilly - Indianapolis, IN
Scientist - Parkinson's Disease A post-doctoral... druggable targets for disease modifying treatment of Parkinson's disease. The individual will communicate... ...
Chief Development Officer: National Parkinson Foundation - , FL
Officer The National Parkinson Foundation seeks to... well as other select constituents in the Parkinson's disease community. Specific responsibilities include... ...
Grants and Contracts Manager: The Parkinson's Institute and - Sunnyvale, CA
Company: The Parkinson's Institute and Clinical... PI is focused on the cause, care and cure for Parkinson’s disease and many other movement disorders. Our... ...