PARKINSONS DISEASE

Disease Presentation 3

Michael J. Fox
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
ECkPVTZlfP8

WHAT IS PARKINSONS?

Neurodegenerative
disease

Progresses slowly in
most people

Brain slowly stops

producing dopamine

What is dopamine?

Chemical structure of dopamine

WHAT CAUSES
PARKINSONS?

The substantia nigra

is a part of the brain
where dopamine is
made.

Dopamine is needed
to control body
movements.

60% to 80%
(neurodegeneration)

WHAT CAUSES
PARKINSONS?

The cause of Parkinsons is unknown.

There is currently no cure.

Average age of onset is 60, but patients

have been diagnosed as early as 18.

Genetic causes? environmental

causes? a combination of both?

WHAT ARE THE

SYMPTOMS OF
PARKINSONS?

MOTOR SYMPTOMS

Slowness of
movement

Involuntary shaking
tremor

Stiffness in the arms,

legs, or torso

Difficulty with
balance

NON-MOTOR SYMPTOMS

These symptoms usually occur before motor

symptoms

Depression, anxiety, irritability

Hallucinations

Sleep disorders

Loss of sense of smell

Other symptoms

HOW IS PARKINSONS
TREATED?

MEDICATION

Drugs that are similar

to dopamine (for
example, Levodopa)

Why cant patients

take dopamine?

What is the problem

with this type of drug?

DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION

https://www.youtub
e.com/watch?v=zmmn
yAzODX0

NEW TECHNOLOGY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-_
4X_sbKNc

AN INTERESTING
DISCOVERY

Mice and MPTP

SOURCES

National Parkinson Foundation

http://www.parkinson.org

National Institute of Neurological Disorders

and Stroke
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinson
s_disease/parkinsons_disease.htm

Michael J. Fox Foundation

https://www.michaeljfox.org/understanding-par
kinsons/living-with-pd/topic.php?causes