Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson’s disease is part of a group of motor system disorders. There is no known cause for Parkinson’s disease but it is believed that it may be due to an undersupply of dopamine in the brain. About 60,000 Americans are newly diagnosed each year, and more than 1.5 million Americas are affected at one time. More people suffer from Parkinson’s disease than multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis combined.

Symptoms

Tremor (trembling in the hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face)

Stiffness/Rigidity (of the limbs and trunk)

Bradykinesia (slowness of movement)

Posture instability (impaired balance or coordination)

Treatment

There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease but there are some forms of relief for symptoms. Levodopa combined with carbidopa helps about three-quarters of Parkinson’s patients. Carbidopa delays the conversion of levodopa into dopamine until it reaches the brain. In addition, the nerve cells can use levodopa to replenish the brain’s supply of dopamine. This can reduce the rigidity and slowness of movement. There are other types of drugs that can mimic the role of dopamine in the brain, so that the neurons react how they should with dopamine. Patients experiencing tremor may have reduced symptoms, but balance and other problems may not be alleviated at all. One alternative for patients who have Parkinson’s is to have deep brain stimulation, or DBS therapy. This type of surgical procedure involves implanting electrodes into the brain to attach to a pulse generating device.

Body Systems Affected

Parkinson’s disease dramatically affects the central nervous system. However it can cause problems with all the systems of the body mainly including the skeletal system and muscular system. Dopamine produced in the body can affect smooth and coordinated muscle movement.