Parkinson's+disease

= Parkinson's Disease =



It was discovered by London doctor James Parkinson after whom it was named Parkinson's disease. This disease has been known of since ancient times however the first Published work was by James Parkinson in 1817 who wrote the detailed paper titled "An Essay on the Shaking Palsy". He wrote about the six cases of Parkinson's that he had studied. About six decades later French neurologist Jean Martin Charcot recognized the importance of Jame's Parkinson's work and named the disease after him.

Symptoms of Parkinson's:
====Parkinson's symptoms include those of movement symptom's and non-movement symptoms. Parkinson's symptoms often lead to a shortened life expectancy, however the disease is not fatal. There is no cure for the disease at this point but there are some treatments that help people suffering form Parkinson's. Symptoms often begin at age 60 or later and treatment often depends on how soon the disease is detected. If it is caught early it can be helped tremendously by physical therapy, and other prescription drugs that help movement symptoms. Many medications exists that can help lessen tremors and keep more physical stability. For early Parkinson's things like yoga, physical therapy, and exercise can be some of the best treatments. However in early and mid stages of Parkinson's medications such as, Carbidopa-levodopa, and Dopamine agonists which boost Dopamine in the brain, or mimic it's effects. However in later stages of Parkinson's surgery to help stimulate the brain and lessen symptoms of Parkinson's. Those are the conventional treatments to Parkinson's, and although some alternative treatments exists those forms of treatments are the most well acknowledged. Treatments have the best chance of working most effectively when symptoms begin. ====

There are many movement symptoms of Parkinson's Disease, movement symptoms include:

 * Cramping (dystonia): sustained or repetitive twisting or tightening of muscle.
 * Drooling (sialorrhea): while not always viewed as a motor symptom, excessive saliva or drooling may result due to a decrease in normally automatic actions such as swallowing.
 * Dyskinesia: involuntary, erratic writhing movements of the face, arms, legs or trunk.
 * Festination: short, rapid steps taken during walking. May increase risk of falling and often seen in association with freezing.
 * Freezing: gives the appearance of being stuck in place, especially when initiating a step, turning or navigating through doorways. Potentially serious problem as it may increase risk of falling.
 * Masked face (hypomimia): results from the combination of bradykinesia and rigidity.
 * Micrographia: small, untidy and cramped handwriting due to bradykinesia.
 * Shuffling gait: accompanied by short steps and often a stooped posture.
 * Soft speech (hypophonia): soft, sometimes hoarse, voice that can occur in PD.

Non-movement symptoms include:

[[image:McCarronParkinson'sBrain.jpg width="371" height="285" align="right"]]

 * Mood disorders such as depression, anxiety and irritability.
 * Cognitive changes such as problems with focused a
 * Attention and planning slowing of thought, language and memory difficulties
 * Personality changes and dementia
 * Hallucinations and delusions

Inheritance:
The inheritance of Parkinson’s disease is still somewhat a mystery. Only about 15% of Parkinson’s patients have a familial history of the disease. We have determined that Parkinson’s can be caused by LRRK2, PARK7, PINK1, PRKN, or SNCA gene, and in other genes studies of the disease have yet to reveal. If the LRRK2 or SNCA gene is involved, the disorder is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. However in thePARK7, PINK1, or PRKN gene is involved, Parkinson disease is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern.

External Factors:
There is not much known about the environmental causes that make people either more or less susceptible to PD. However it has been determined that head injuries do increase the likelihood that that person will be diagnosed with Parkinson's. Also people's exposure to certain toxins can increase that likelihood as well. there are other external factors being explored, however their link to Parkinson's has not been definitively proved yet.

= How Common Is Parkinson's? = In the United States, Parkinson disease occurs in approximately 13 per 100,000 people, and about 60,000 new cases are identified each year. The late-onset form is the most common type of Parkinson disease, and the risk of developing this condition increases with age. Parkinson's is more common in men than women by up to 50%. Parkinson's is most common is Hispanics and non- hispanic whites, and less common is Asians or people of African descent.

Diagnosis:
No specific test exists to diagnose Parkinson's disease. Doctors trained in nervous system conditions (neurologist) will diagnose Parkinson's disease based on medical history, a review of signs and symptoms, and a neurological and physical examination. Doctor may order tests, such as blood tests, to rule out other conditions that may be causing your symptoms. Imaging tests — such as MRI, ultrasound of the brain, SPECT and PET scans — may also be used to help rule out other disorders. Imaging tests aren't particularly helpful for diagnosing Parkinson's disease.

**Which chromosomes are responsible for this disorder**[[image:epiehonorsbiology/McCarron Chromosomes.jpg width="277" height="248" align="left"]]
There are two chromosomes that have been identified as causing Parkinson's Disease. The genes that cause this disorder are located on the long arm of Chromosome 4, and the long arm of Chromosome 6. The genes on these chromosomes that, if mutated, can cause Parkinson's are; LRRK2, PARK7, PINK1, PRKN, or SNCA genes. The mutations that are on these genes are still debated over. some of the mutations in the genes appear to be nondisjunction, however many of the genetic mutations are still argued over due to the sparsity and variety of hereditary Parkinson's disease.

Works Cited:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20376055

http://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/what-is-parkinsons

https://medlineplus.gov/parkinsonsdisease.html

https://www.medicinenet.com/parkinsons_disease/article.html