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What is Parkinson's Disease?
The four primary symptoms of Parkinson's disease often appear gradually but increase in severity with time. They are:
Tremor or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face
Rigidity or stiffness of the limbs and trunk
Slowness of motor movements
Postural instability or impaired balance and coordination
People with Parkinson's disease may have trouble walking, talking, or completing simple tasks that depend on coordinated muscle movements.
Is there any treatment?
There is no cure for Parkinson's disease. Since most of the symptoms are due to the lack of dopamine in the brain, effective medications aim at temporarily replenishing or mimicking dopamine's actions. These drugs - levodopa and the dopamine agonists ropinirole, pramipexole, and pergolide - reduce muscle rigidity, improve speed and coordination of movement, and relieve tremor. In addition, many doctors recommend physical therapy or muscle-strengthening exercises to help people handle their daily activities.
What is the prognosis?
At present there is no way to predict or prevent Parkinson's disease. Symptoms usually appear after 80 percent or more of the dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra have died, which significantly narrows the window of opportunity for preventive or protective treatments. Medications can relieve symptoms for a period of time but won't slow or stop the natural progression of the disease. The course of the disease varies widely. Some people have mild symptoms for many years, while others have severe symptoms and a quicker progression.
What research is being done?
Hundreds of research studies supported by the NINDS are exploring the basic biomechanisms of Parkinson's disease and looking for ways to stop the degenerative process that causes the disorder.
Select this link to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.
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