Parkinson's Disease
James Parkinson first described Parkinson's disease in England in 1817. Parkinson wrote a description of six patients suffering from a slowly progressing disease characterized by "involuntary tremulous motion, which lessened muscular power in parts not in action even when supported, with a propensity to bend their trunks forward from a walking to a running pace" (Health & Illness, 1995). The disease he named shaking palsy is known as parkinsonism (Parkinson's disease) in his honor. Parkinsonism, also called paralysis agitans, is defined as a disorder of the brain characterized by shaking and difficulty with walking, movement, and coordination. The disease is associated with damage to part of the brain that controls muscle movement. The term "parkinsonism" refers to any condition that involves a combination of the types of changes in movement seen in Parkinson's disease, which happens to be the most common condition causing this group of symptoms. Parkinsonism may be caused by !other disorders or by external factors (secondary parkinsonism). (Yahoo.Health). These symptoms include adverse reactions to prescribed medication, carbon monoxide poisoning, stroke, head injury, and brain tumors. In Parkinson's disease dopamine, which is
4.) Yahoo! Health. www.health.yahoo.com 11/8/00 lacing the dopamine once produced within the substania nigra. Another drug patients receive are MAO-B inhibitors, these drugs work to make the most of the dopamine your brain is still producing or is administered to the patient (Parkinson's Handbook. 1995). Various surgical procedures have been used to destroy tissue deep in the brain in an effort to decrease tremors caused by the disease. Because of computer-assisted technology now available, these procedures are being done much more precisely than in the past. Currently, the transplantation of adrenal gland tissue to precise locations deep in the brain is under investigation. Although early reports on this form of treatment were encouraging, more recent experience with this type of transplantation is much less encouraging. Much more investigation needs to be done to determine its exact role in the treatment of conditions such as Parkinson's disease (Family Health Book.1990). Despite years of research, no one has been able to! 7.) Parkinson's Web. Young Parkinson's Handbook. William Koller, M.D., Ph.D., Jean Hubble, M.D. and Abraham Lieberman, M.D. Chapter # 2 & 3. 1995 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ identify the definite cause of Parkinson's disease. There may be a number of contributing factors. It is now supposed that Parkinson's disease probably develops when a genetic predisposition combines with exposure to some environmental toxin (Help4Parkinsons). A recent study has found a possible genetic predisposition towards Parkinson's disease. The evidence was gathered from the DNA of an Italian family with a long history of Parkinson's disease. The family that was studied has had Parkinson's in its genealogy since the 18th century. For the purpose of the study, researchers extracted DNA from 28 family members, 9 with Parkinson's disease. After comparing the 9 Parkinson patients' samples with those of the unaffected members, scientists were clearly able to identify a genetic link- a mutation on the long arm of chromosome 4. This is exciting news because it's the first step on an entirely new research pathway. Next, scientist will attempt to narrow down the exact location o! 5.) OnHealth: Parkinson's Disease. www.onhealth.webmd.com 9/27/00 3.) Parkinson's Community. www.help4parkinsons.com 11/20/00 y with speech and decreased eye blinking. A
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Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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