Dementia and Dementia Care

Parkinson’s Diseases

As a chronic and progressive movement disorder, Parkinson's disease (PD) causes symptoms that get worse over time.Almost one million Americans suffer from Parkinson's disease. Even though there isn't a cure at this time, there are treatment options to control the symptoms, such as medication and surgery.

Causes and Risk Factors:

Neurodegeneration: Parkinson's disease is characterized by the gradual degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra, a region of the brain responsible for movement control.

Genetics: While most cases are sporadic, some individuals may have a genetic predisposition to Parkinson's disease. Mutations in certain genes, such as the LRRK2 and SNCA genes, have been associated with an increased risk.

Environmental Factors: Exposure to certain environmental toxins, such as pesticides and herbicides, has been suggested as a potential risk factor. However, the role of environmental factors is not fully understood.