Parkinson's disease is a neuro-degenerative disease, in other words a disease that is characterized by progressive loss of nervous system function. Parkinson's disease has a number of key features that are similar to Alzheimer's disease. These relate to abnormal protein processing as well as some similarities in symptomology.
Parkinson's dementia can also respond favorably to cholinesterase inhibitor medications such as Aricept.
Parkinson's disease affects all cultures and races. Globally, it is estimated 6.3 million people have Parkinson's disease. Around 1 to 1.5 million Americans have it. 1 in 10 people with Parkinson's are diagnosed before the age of 50 years. 15% before the age of 40 years. Slightly more men than women have Parkinson's disease.
What is Parkinson's Disease?
Parkinson's disease is a chronic progressive disease that occurs when a group of cells in the substantia nigra of the brain malfunction and die. This results in a substantial loss of a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger) called Dopamine. Dopamine transports the signals to the part of the brain that controls movement, coordination and initiation.
Causes of Parkinson's disease
It is not known why some people get Parkinson's disease. It may be that a number of malfunctions are occurring. Scientists have speculated on the following causes:
Environmental factors-Toxins such as herbicides and pesticides
Trauma
Genetics. In rare cases a few families do show an inherited predisposition to Parkinson's disease- A gene being transmitted via an autosomal dominant trait.
15-25% of people with Parkinson's disease have a relative with the disease.
Some scientists suggest cell death concepts cause Parkinson's disease. These include;
Oxidative Stress-Free radicals are believed to cause damage to tissues by oxidation.
Excitotoxicity.An example is that glucomate may be implicated in cell death.
Mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondria within the cells that produce energy no longer function properly.
Signs and Symptoms of Parkinson's disease
Signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease include;
Parkinson's disease treatments
There is no cure for Parkinson's disease. There are many treatment options such as medication and surgery to help manage the symptoms. Research is ongoing for finding a cure and more effective treatments for this debilitating disease.
Medication can help control and manage symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Used individually, or in combination, they include;
Sinemet (levodopa/carbidopa), Eldepryl (selegiline hydrochloride), Parlodel (bromocriptine mesylate) and Permax (pergolide mesylate), Mirapex (pramipexole), Tasmar (tolcapone), Apokyn (apomorphine).
Surgical Procedures include:
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical procedure used to treat a variety of disabling neurological symptoms and the commonly the debilitating symptoms of Parkinson’s disease
A thalamotomy; This surgical procedure destroys part of the thalamus, a part of the brain involved in movement control.
Transplantation surgery of dopamine-producing cells are implanted into the striatum.
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