Parkinson's disease is a disorder that affects nerve cells, or neurons, in a part of the brain that controls muscle movement. In Parkinson's, neurons that make a chemical called dopamine die or do not work properly. Dopamine normally sends signals that help coordinate your movements. No one knows what damages these cells.

Causes of Parkinson's disease

Many symptoms of Parkinson's disease result from the lack of a chemical messenger, called dopamine, in the brain. This occurs when the specific brain cells that produce dopamine die or become impaired. But researchers still aren't certain about what sets this chain of events in motion. Some theorize that genetic mutations or environmental toxins may play a role in Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease occurs when these neurons die or cease to function properly. Without enough dopamine to control them, the neurons of the corpus striatum cannot function in their usual, coordinated manner, and the result is an inability to direct or control the body's movements normally.

Dopamine serves as a chemical messenger allowing communication between the substantia nigra and another area of the brain called the corpus striatum. This communication coordinates smooth and balanced muscle movement. A lack of dopamine results in abnormal nerve functioning, causing a loss in the ability to control body movements.

Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease

The symptoms of Parkinson's disease usually begin slowly and develop gradually, in no particular order. Parkinson's disease affects each individual differently and each person with the condition will have a different collection of symptoms and respond differently to treatment. The severity of symptoms also differs between individuals with the condition.

The symptoms of Parkinson's disease appear gradually and get worse over time. But because Parkinson's disease usually develops slowly, most people who have it can live a long and relatively healthy life.

Central Nervous System is affected in about 23% of all patients with the disease in the U.S. The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord. Behcet's disease can cause inflammation of the brain and the thin membrane that covers and protects the brain and spinal cord. This condition is called meningoencephalitis.

Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease

There are currently no blood or laboratory tests that have been proven to help in diagnosing PD. Therefore the diagnosis is based on medical history and a neurological examination. The disease can be difficult to diagnose accurately. The Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale is the primary clinical tool used to assist in diagnosis and determine severity of PD. Indeed, only 75% of clinical diagnoses of PD are confirmed at autopsy.

How is Parkinson's disease treated?

At present, there is no cure for Parkinson's disease. But a variety of medications provide dramatic relief from the symptoms.

Not all patients require drug treatment and medications are considered when the symptoms are sufficiently bothersome for the patient. When recommending a course of treatment, the physician determines how much the symptoms disrupt the patient's life and then tailors therapy to the person's particular condition.

What is the prognosis?

PD is both chronic, meaning it persists over a long period of time, and progressive, meaning its symptoms grow worse over time. Although some people become severely disabled, others experience only minor motor disruptions. Tremor is the major symptom for some patients, while for others tremor is only a minor complaint and other symptoms are more troublesome.