Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD; paralysis agitans) is a neurodegenerative disease of the substantia nigra (an area in the basal ganglia of the brain). The disease was first discovered and its symptoms documented in 1817 (An Essay on the Shaking Palsy) by the British physician Dr. James Parkinson; the associated biochemical changes in the brain of patients were identified in the 1960s. Some genes were identified only recently; others remain unknown.

Related Topics:
Neurodegenerative disease - Substantia nigra - Basal ganglia - Brain - 1817 - James Parkinson - Biochemical - Patient - 1960s - Gene

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The disease involves a progressive movement disorder of the extrapyramidal system, which controls and adjusts communication between neurons in the brain and muscles in the human body. It also commonly involves depression and disturbances of sensory systems.

Related Topics:
Extrapyramidal system - Neuron - Muscle - Human body - Depression

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In the United States, the prevalence of Parkinson's disease is 1 per 625 people, though this increases with age, as indicated by the mean onset of 55 years of age. Symptoms usually begin in the upper extremity, and are usually unilateral (one-sided) or asymmetrical at onset.

Related Topics:
United States - Prevalence

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