What is Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder that is caused by the degeneration of nerve cells in the part of the brain called the substantia nigra, which controls movement. These nerve cells die or become impaired, losing the ability to produce an important chemical called dopamine.

Normally, dopamine operates in a delicate balance with other neurotransmitters to help coordinate the millions of nerve and muscle cells involved in movement. Without enough dopamine, this balance is disrupted, resulting in tremors, slowness of movement (bradykinesia), rigidity, and impaired balance and coordination (postural instability) – the primary symptoms of PD [1].

Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease

While the four primary symptoms of PD – tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, and postural instability – are widely recognized, PD can also encompass a range of non-motor symptoms. These can include cognitive impairment, mood disorders including depression and anxiety, sleep disturbances, autonomic dysfunction, and sensory symptoms, which can sometimes precede the motor symptoms.

Progression of Parkinson’s disease

The symptoms of PD can vary widely among individuals, and they typically develop slowly over the years, making early diagnosis and monitoring crucial.

PD is often divided into stages, with the early stages characterized by mild symptoms that have a limited impact on daily life, progressing to more severe symptoms that significantly impair functionality in the later stages.

Causes of Parkinson’s disease

The cause of PD essentially remains unknown, but it is believed to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Prevalence of Parkinson’s disease

PD is the fastest-growing neurological disease in the world due to the aging population, affecting people of all races and cultures. Currently, there are 10 million diagnosed patients globally and the number is estimated to grow up to 25 million by 2050.

In Finland and Germany, PD occurs in around 1% of people over 60 years. The number of patients affected is estimated at around 400,000 in Germany and over 15,000 in Finland [2, 3].

After Alzheimer’s disease, PD is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder globally.

Treatment of Parkinson’s disease

Currently, there is no cure for PD, but a variety of medications and treatments are available to manage the symptoms, improve quality of life, and slow down the progression of the disease. These treatments include medication to increase or substitute for dopamine, deep brain stimulation (DBS) for more severe cases, and various supportive therapies such as physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.

Understanding PD is crucial for managing its symptoms effectively and supporting those who live with the disease. Ongoing research continues to seek better treatments and ultimately a cure for this challenging condition.

References:

[1] Jankovic J Parkinson’s disease: clinical features and diagnosis Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry 2008;79:368-376.

[2] Heinzel, S. et.al.: Do we need to rethink the epidemiology and healthcare utilization of Parkinson’s Disease in Germany? Frontiers in Neurology 2018 (MoPED-Studie) www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2018.00500/full

[3] Mertsalmi, T., Arkkila, P., Hissa, M., Passinen, K., & Scheperjans, F. (2017). Parkinsonin tautia sairastavien ruuansulatuskanavan oireet. Duodecim, 133(20), 1913-1921. http://www.duodecimlehti.fi/api/pdf/duo13957