PARKINSON'S

Parkinson Disease

Parkinson Disease

Introduction

Parkinson's is a neurodegenerative disease, slowly progressive but gradual, involving, primarily, some functions such as the control of movement and balance. The disease is part of a group of diseases called "Movement Disorders", and among these is the most frequent. The symptoms of Parkinson's are perhaps known for thousands of years: a first description would be found in a paper of Indian medicine dating back to 5000 BC and another in a Chinese document dating back to 2,500 years ago. The name is linked, however, to James Parkinson, a London surgeon chemist of the nineteenth century, who first described most of the symptoms of the disease in a famous book, "The Treaty on the shaking palsy." Parkinson, who died in 1824, there is neither portrait nor of course photographs.

The disease is found throughout the world and in all ethnic groups. It is found in both sexes, with a slight predominance, perhaps, in the male. The average age of onset is around 58-60 years, but about 5% of patients may have a juvenile onset between 21 and 40 years. Over 60 affect 1-2% of the population, while the percentage rises to 3-5% when the age is over 85.

The structures involved in Parkinson's disease are found in deep areas of the brain known as the basal ganglia (caudate nucleus, putamen, and pale), involved in the proper execution of movements (but not only). Parkinson's disease occurs when the production of dopamine in the brain decreases consistently (Ryoo et al. 2007, pp. 788). The reduced levels of dopamine are as a result of the disintegration of neurons; in an area called the substantia nigra (cell loss is more than 60% at onset of symptoms). From marrow to brain begin to appear even accumulation of a protein called alpha-synuclein (Ryoo et al. 2007, pp. 788). Perhaps it is this protein that the disease spreads throughout the brain. The duration of the preclinical phase (the period of time that elapses between the beginning of neuronal degeneration and the onset of motor symptoms) is not known, but some studies date it around 5 years (Ryoo et al. 2007, pp. 788).

In Parkinson's disease there is especially a lack of the neurotransmitter dopamine. This happens because special nerve cells in the brain gradually die off. Together with other neurotransmitters dopamine is implicated in the management of mobility (Ryoo et al. 2007, pp. 788). A dopamine deficiency upsets the delicate balance of neurotransmitters. The consequences are movement disorders with typical warning signs of Parkinsonism: movement depletion, to the rigid movement, muscle rigidity, tremor and an unstable posture (Marras & Lang, 2008, pp. 1996).

The cure is not yet possible; however, there are various treatment options that can delay the progression of the disease. As in the Western industrialized countries, life expectancy is increasing and the Parkinson's disease occurs more frequently in older people, must be expected in the next few years with an increasing number of people affected. It is estimated that in United Kingdom, there are ...