Topic Home

Parkinson’s Disease was named after a British doctor, by the name of James Parkinson, in 1817.

Parkinson’s is a progressive disease that greatly affects a person’s ability to move and at present, has no known cure. Each year in the United States, approximately 50,000 new cases are diagnosed. It is believed that at any given time there are more than half a million American citizens who are suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Approximately three percent of Americans over the age of 65 become afflicted by the disease. Parkinson’s disease is thought of as a condition of the late middle aged, as the average age of onset is somewhere between the ages of 55 and 60. However many cases of “early-onset” have been identified in individuals under the age of 40 (an average of 5-10 percent) in the past couple of years.

Parkinson’s disease afflicts both men and women and it occurs in every race of people in all four corners of the world. Some studies undertaken have shown that the Caucasian population appears more susceptible to developing the condition than African-Americans or Asians, but scientists cannot pinpoint accurately why this might be the case. It is not known for sure what causes Parkinson’s disease in the majority of cases it is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Parkinson’s Disease takes place when nerve cells (or neurons) in a part of the brain known as the substantia nigra (or black substance) are destroyed or impaired.

The substantia nigra produces a chemical known as dopamine and it is this chemical that sends messages to muscles in the body to tell then when and how to move. A lack of dopamine in the brain causes disorientation with nerve cells thus prompting movements in the body that are uncontrollable.

In addition, other factors may cause symptoms similar to Parkinson's Disease. Prolonged or high-exposure to certain drugs is also believed to cause symptoms similar to those of Parkinson's Disease. A diagnosis from a professional medical doctor is the only way to be sure.

These articles should not be used as a basis for any form of diagnosis or treatment for any medical condition. Always seek professional medical advice.


Please click on More About Parkinson's Disease for a longer description.