Parkinson’s Disease

DEFINITION: Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder that is caused by

degeneration of nerve cells in the part of the brain called the substantia nigra, which
controls movement.
Or
It is a chronic, progressive neurological disorder which disturb muscle control,
movements and balance. It is slowly progressive neurological movement disorder that
eventually leads to disability.
These diseases belong to a group of condition called movement disorder. It
characterized by muscle rigidity, tremors, a slowing physical movement(bradykinesia)
and a loss of physical movement(akinesia) in extreme cases. It was first described in
1817 by londin surgen james Parkinson.
 These nerve cells die or become impaired, losing the ability to produce an
important chemical called dopamine. Studies have shown that symptoms of
Parkinson's develop in patients with an 80 percent or greater loss of dopamine-
producing cells in the substantia nigra.
 Normally, dopamine operates in a delicate balance with other neurotransmitters to
help coordinate the millions of nerve and muscle cells involved in movement.
Without enough dopamine, this balance is disrupted, resulting in tremor (trembling
in the hands, arms, legs and jaw); rigidity (stiffness of the limbs); slowness of
movement; and impaired balance and coordination – the hallmark symptoms of
Parkinson's.

PREVALANCE AND INCIDANCE: It is estimated that 60,000 new cases of

Parkinson’s disease are diagnosed each year, adding to the estimated one to 1.5 million
Americans who currently have the disease.

 While the condition usually develops after the age of 55, the disease may
affect people in their 30s and 40s, such as actor Michael J. Fox, who was
diagnosed at age 30.

CAUSES AND RISK FACTOR:

1.Environmental factor: Exposure to pesticides and a history of head
injury have each been linked with Parkinson diseases, but the risks are modest.
Never having smoked cigarettes, and never drinking caffeinated beverages, are
also associated with small increases in risk for developing PD.
 Low concentration of urate in the blood serum is associated with an
increased risk of PD.

2.Genetics: Parkin crystal structure

Research indicates that PD is the product of a complex interaction of genetic and
environmental factors Around 15% if individuals with PD have a first-degree
relative who has the disease, and 5-10% or people with PD are known to have
forms of the disease that occur because of a mutation in one of several specific
genes. Harboring one of these gene mutations may not lead to the disease;
susceptibility factors put the individual at an increased risk, often in combination
with other risk factors, which also affect age of onset, severity and progression.
Genes implicated in the development of PD.