WHAT IS PARKINSONS DISEASE?

Parkinsons disease is a chronicneurological disorder that slows bodymovement and response.   It affects peopleof all ages, but primarily those over 50years old.  The main symptoms includeshaking (tremor) of various parts of thebody, rigidity or stiffness of the limbs,slowness of movement, shuffling gait,stooped posture, impaired balance and/orloss of facial  expression.  Neurologistsestimate that there are at least 25,000people in Houston who are affected by thisprogressive brain illness.  

In 1817 Dr. James Parkinson, anEnglish physician, described thesephysical characteristics in a scientific paperon The Shaking Palsy.   
His observationsand descriptions remain accurate today,even though knowledge and treatmenthave vastly improved.

Fewer than forty years agoresearchers discovered that Parkinsonismresults when dopamine, an essentialchemical substance that acts as a brainmessenger, is diminished in the brain.   Dopamine is a neuro-transmitter foundprimarily in the basal ganglia of the brain.
At present the cause of its loss is unknown,but treatments aim at controlling thesymptoms, which differ from person toperson in degree of severity.  Parkinsonsdisease can cause chronic disability but isnot usually fatal.  Although there is no cureat this time, there is treatment withmedication or surgery.