Parkinsons disease
Parkinson's disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disease of the
substantia nigra, was first discovered and its symptoms
documented in 1817. This discovery and docomentation was by
British physician Dr. James Parkinson. It wasn't until the
1960's that the associated biochemical changes in the brain of
patients were able to be identified. Although many genes have
recently been identified, there are still several others that
remain unkown. Parkinson's disease involves a progressive
movement disorder of the extrapyramidal system. The
extrapyramidal system controls and adjusts communication between
neurons in the brain and muscles in the human body. As you can
see this is a huge, and important task. PD will commonly
coincide with depression and disturbances of sensory systems due
to the damage that it has on the brain. Aprroximately one out of
every 600 people have Parkinson's disease in the United States
of America. The rates increase with age, especially apparent in
those over 55.
Still unknown, is the cause of Parkinson's disease. 9 different genetic
defects have been found. Each of these nine cause the disease in
1 or a few more familes with extremely high incidences of the
disease. This unfortunately hasn't take geneticists further as
these familes are so rare to find. Although strong inheritance
patterns are extremely rare, an person who is infected with PD
is 3 to 4 times more likely to have a close relative who also
has PD.
Today the strongest theory for the cause of Parkinson's disease
is from "the combination of a subtle genetically-determined
vulnerability to environmental toxins along with even limited
exposure to those toxins. The toxins most strongly suspected at
present are certain pesticides and industrial metals."
I wish that I had an answer like many others do to the cause of
Parkinson's. One thing that we know though, is that as science
and technology increases, so will man's understanding of
diseases such as Parkinson's.