Parkinson’s Disease

By Simi Jaiyesimi and Muskaan Shah

Northwestern University
8/1/19
WHAT IS PARKINSON’S DISEASE?
● Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological movement disorder with an adult-onset.
● Caused due to degeneration of dopamine producing neurons in the substantia
nigra.
● It is characterised by a large number of motor and non-motor symptoms.
WHAT HAPPENS INSIDE THE BODY?
● Most of the dopamine neurons are made in the midbrain and found in the
substantia nigra.
● The substantia nigra is divided into two parts: Pars Reticulata and Pars Compacta.
● Pars Compacta is the part that is affected in PD.
● Pars Compacta uses dopaminergic neurons to send messages or signals to the
striatum, through the nigrostriatal pathway that helps stimulate cerebral cortex
for movement.
● But, this does not work!
CAUSES
● The main cause of Parkinson’s disease being unknown, but the risk of Parkinson’s
disease is not due to environmental factors.
● It is sometimes caused due to genetic mutations or an influence of genetic and
environmental factors on cellular processes.
● Rarely, but one of of PD can also be MPTP, which is a toxic impurity, present in
recreational drugs like MPPP.
● The risk of PD can also increase due to pesticide exposure.
SYMPTOMS
● Sleepiness

● Distorted sense/loss of smell

● Anxiety/Apathy
SIGNS

● Tremors (involuntary, quivering movements).

● Slowed Speech

● Bradykinesia (slowed movement)

● Rigid facial expression

● Stooped posture

● Dragging feet while walking

TESTS FOR DIAGNOSIS
● PD is diagnosed on clinical criteria, as there is no
certain diagnostic test.
● The classic diagnosis for PD would be spotting a
Lewy body on autopsy.
● Otherwise, diagnosis is solely based on the exclusive
symptoms and motor feature.
● Diagnostic criteria have been developed by a few
institutes in the UK, but none of them have been
confirmed or entirely approved of.
TREATMENTS
-Parkinson’s cannot be cured but:

Common treatments:
Lifestyle changes:
● Dopamine promoter medications.
● Aerobic exercise.
● Anti Tremor medications.
● Continuous speech therapy.
● Cognition-enhancing medications.
● Continuous physical therapy.
● Therapeutic surgery.
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
-The causes of Parkinson’s disease still remain unknown, but some scientific studies
have seen a minor trend that people who do these things are less susceptible to
Parkinson’s Disease:

● Get regular aerobic exercise.

● Drinking green tea.

● Coffee Drinking.

Caffeine as a chemical
compound.
Chemical Compound Eicosanoyl-5-Hydroxytryptamide (EHT)
Chemical Formula:

- C30H50N2O2

Waxy, shiny outer coating of

coffee bean is where it is
found.
PROGNOSIS
● PD, although bring a known and common disease, there are no specific diagnostic
tests for it. Therefore, researchers and doctors are looking forward to find new
ways to diagnose Parkinson’s disease in patients.
● Hopefully, with more research, the cause of Parkinson’s disease might be found.
● As the dopaminergic cells of the brain degenerate in Parkinson’s, there are hopes
that brain stem cells might be able to cure Parkinson’s disease. There are still no
cures found for Parkinson’s disease.
Statistics on Parkinson’s Disease/Additional information
● Approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s annually.

● More than 10,000,000 people worldwide are living with it currently.

● Men are 1.5 times more likely to get Parkinson’s disease than women.

● Parkinson’s is a disease that is still largely being studied. No concrete

treatments/causes yet.
Quick Quiz!
1.) Parkinson’s Disease is caused by a destruction of producing neurons.

2.) Parkinson’s is an onset disease.

3.) Men are times more likely to develop Parkinson's Disease.

Bibliography
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https://www.123rf.com/photo_95970569_stock-vector-parkinson-s-disease-symptoms-treatment-line-icons-set-vector-signs-.html
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● Bioscience, A. (n.d.). IPSC-Derived Dopaminergic Neuron Progenitors. Retrieved from
https://www.axolbio.com/shop/category/human-cells-ipsc-derived-dopaminergic-neuron-progenitors-77
● Capital Region Living Magazine. (2018, October 30). Living with Parkinson's Disease. Retrieved from
https://www.crlmag.com/living-with-parkinsons-disease/
● (n.d.). Retrieved from http://old.post-gazette.com/healthscience/20000312parkinsons1.asp
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● Statistics. (2019, June 13). Retrieved from https://www.parkinson.org/Understanding-Parkinsons/Statistics
● (n.d.). Retrieved from http://viartis.net/parkinsons.disease/prevalence.htm
● What's Hot in PD? An Update on DAT Scanning for Parkinson's Disease Diagnosis. (2018, October 17). Retrieved from
https://www.parkinson.org/blog/whats-hot/update-DAT-scanning
● Brooks, D. J. (2010, April 01). Journal of Nuclear Medicine. Retrieved from http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/51/4/596/F8.expansion.html
Bibliography (continued)
● What Causes Parkinson's Disease? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://parkinsonsnewstoday.com/what-causes-parkinsons-disease/
● Rettner, R. (2016, November 07). Janet Reno's Death: How Does a Person Die of Parkinson's? Retrieved from
https://www.livescience.com/56777-janet-reno-parkinsons-death.html
● Men Are Twice As Likely To Develop Parkinson's Disease. (2000, November 24). Retrieved from
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/11/001120072645.htm
● Parkinson's disease. (2018, June 30). Retrieved from
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20376055
● Newman, T. (2018, December 29). How coffee might protect against Parkinson's. Retrieved from
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323997.php
● Parkinson's disease. Symptoms, treatment. Line icons set. Vector.. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.123rf.com/photo_95970569_stock-vector-parkinson-s-disease-symptoms-treatment-line-icons-set-vector-signs-.htm
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