About Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a slowly progressing neurodegenerative disorder caused by the loss of neurons within the substantia nigra area of the brain. These neurons produce a substance called dopamine, which is responsible for emabling smooth, coordinated functioning of the body's muscles and movement. As more dopaminergic neurons die and become impaired, the symptoms of Parkinson's slowly develop.

The four main symptoms of PD are resting tremor (shaking), bradykinesia (slow movements), rigidity (stiffness), and postural instability (balance issues). Neurologists usually don't diagnose PD until at least two of the four primary symptoms are present. There are no clinical tests to prove a diagnosis of Parkinson's, so it is important to see a neurologist, preferably one who specializes in Movement Disorders, in order to receive the most accurate diagnosis and treatment. Other symptoms that may be attributed to PD include: small handwriting, reduced arm swing (usually on one side of the body at first), walking changes, reduction of facial expression, softer voice, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and depression. Be sure to discuss all medical concerns with your neurologist at your appointment, as many of these seemingly unrelated issues may be caused by PD.

The important takeaway of learning about PD is that no two Parkinson's patients are alike! You will not necessarily develop all, or even most, of these symptoms over the course of the illness. Individuals will all have a unique combination of symptoms. So if you've seen one person with PD, you've only seen ONE person with PD!

Parkinson's Disease Vocabulary

Neurodegenerative disorder: A condition caused by the death or degeneration of neurons in the brain or nerve cells in the spinal cord.

Substantia nigra: Literally means "black substance" and indicates the area of the brain where cells produce dopamine (which is black and causes the color of the area).

Micrographia: Small, cramped handwriting.

Hypomimia: Loss of facial expression or "masked face".

Dysarthria: Softer vocal volume.

Freezing: Temporary, involuntary inability to move.

Non-motor symptoms: Symptoms that don't affect movement (mood, constipation, sleep disturbances).

Parkinsonism: A general term to describe Parkinson-like symptoms. Some people may have a parkinsonism but not Parkinson's disease.

Idiopathic: A term which indicates that a disease has no known cause.

Parkinson-plus syndromes: A group of brain disorders that may resemble Parkinson's disease, but they differ in the disease trajectory and in treatments. Also called atypical parkinsonism.