Parkinson Disease
Introduction
Parkinson disease is known among the medical profession as "Parkinson's disease" or "parkinsonism". But most people seem to search on the Internet under "Parkinson disease", which is why I am using it here like that.
This disease is a degenerative condition of the basal ganglia, which are on top of the brain stem, but lie deep in the center and at the bottom of the brain. The basal ganglia coordinate the smoothness and fluidity of movements in the body. Without their function muscle movements become jerky and there is a problem to adjust the body posture according to the latest position. It is almost as if a computer part in the brain machinery regarding movement is malfunctioning. The results are slowed and decreased muscle movements, rigidity of the muscles, a resting tremor and instability with regard to posture. It affects about 0.4% of those older than 40 years and 1% of those older than 65 years. Most commonly it starts in the late 50's.
Parkinson Disease Diagnosis
A patient with possible Parkinson disease should be referred to a neurologist for confirmation of the diagnosis. Also, the specialist is best equipped to know the latest in the treatment of this disease.
Parkinson Disease Treatment
Although there is a number of treatments available for Parkinson disease, they can only be expected to help for a period of time, as the underlying pathological degenerative process of the basal ganglia cannot be stopped.
The loss of these ganglia leads to a loss of the transmitter substance dopamine. Eventually the patient becomes more and more disabled and usually needs 24 hour nursing care in the final months or years. Treatment is directed at providing recovery of some of the loss of available dopamine, the brain neurotransmitter substance that is missing. This can be made more available through dopaminergic medication (see below), through stimulation of dopamine receptors and through inhibition of the enzyme that breaks down dopamine. Other means of improving Parkinson disease are stereotactic surgery as well as transplantation of fetal dopamine neurons.
Transplantation of fetal dopamine neurons into the brains of Parkinson disease patients was undertaken in Ref.3. The surgical procedure was well tolerated except in 5% where another surgery had to be performed to correct the problem. The outcome was largely very encouraging. However, more time is needed to investigate the long-term results.
Here is a link to a site that discusses this topic further.
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