What is Parkinson’s Disease?

January 17, 2012 Ryan Discussion

If it isn’t epilepsy, then it’s got to be Parkinson’s Disease, one of the most well-known neurological disorders of the past century.

And, like epilepsy, it is characterized by certain patterns of the brain that are unnatural. In the case of epilepsy, it’s hyperactivity. In the case of Parkinson’s Disease, it is the exact opposite.

Parkinson’s Disease is characterized by a decline in the brain’s production of dopamine. The cause of cell death is unknown, but what is known is the manifestation of the disease – as a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system.

Now, most people are familiar with the shakes and the stiffness that comes with the early onset of the disease. We know about Muhammad Ali and Michael J. Fox. What isn’t often discussed is the stuff that comes after – the cognitive and behavioral decay, and the possible onset of dementia.

It’s not a fun disease, not that there is such a thing. But it is something that can be diagnosed and treated with the proper steps.

parkinson's disease,