Parkinson's disease was first described in England in 1817 by Dr. James Parkinson. The disease most often develops after age 50. It is one of the most common nervous system disorders of the elderly. Sometimes Parkinson's disease occurs in younger adults, but is rarely seen in children. It affects both men and women.
In some cases, Parkinson's disease occurs in families. When a young person is affected, it is usually because of a form of the disease that runs in families.
Nerve cells use a brain chemical called dopamine to help control muscle movement. Parkinson's disease occurs when the nerve cells in the part of the brain that makes dopamine are slowly destroyed. Without dopamine, the nerve cells in that part of the brain cannot properly send messages. This leads to the loss of muscle function. The damage gets worse with time. The exact reason why the brain cells waste away is unknown.
Secondary parkinsonism (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Secondary parkinsonism is similar to Parkinson''s disease, but it is caused by certain medicines, a different nervous system disorder, or another illness.Parkinson''s disease is one of the most common nervous system(neurologic) disorders of the elde...Reviewer: Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 01/21/2009
Walking abnormalities(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Walking abnormalities are unusual and uncontrollable walk patterns, usually caused by diseases or injuries to the legs, feet, brain, spine, or inner ear.The pattern of how a person walks is called their gait. Many different types of walking a...Reviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 03/26/2009
Depression - elderly (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
It may be complicated by brain disorders that occur with age, such as Alzheimer''s disease. Depression is also a side effect of many drugs commonly prescribed for the elderly.Depression in the elderly is a widespread problem that is often not diagn...Reviewer: Timothy A. Rogge, MD, private practice in Psychiatry, Kirkland, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 08/22/2008
Tremor(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Tremors are a type of involuntary shaking movement. Involuntary means you shake without trying to do so.Tremors are caused by problems with the nerves supplying certain muscles. Reviewer: Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 06/19/2008
Parkinson's disease - resources (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
The following organizations are good resources for information on Parkinson's disease: American Parkinson Disease Association - www.apdaparkinson.org; National Parkinson Foundation - www.parkinson.org; Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research - www.michaeljfox.com; Parkinson's Disease Foundation, Inc. - www.pdf.org. Reviewer: Jennifer K. Mannheim, CRNP, private practice, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 10/20/2008
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