Team:Austin UTexas LASA/Description
Description
What is Parkinson's Disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the destruction of dopaminergic (dopamine producing) neurons in the substantia nigra in the brain. Dopamine acts as a neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger, between two brain areas, substantia nigra and the corpus striatum, to produce controlled movements. When there is a shortage of dopamine, the communication between the two areas becomes ineffective and the movement becomes impaired. In short, the greater the loss of dopamine, the worst the movement-related symptoms. These motor symptoms include shaking, rigidity, slowness of movement, impaired balance, and difficulty in walking. As symptoms get worse, talking, chewing, speaking, or swallowing may be difficult for an individual. Additionally, non-motor symptoms associated with Parkinson’s Disease include loss of sense of smell, cognitive impairment, and constipation. Emotional symptoms may include depression, apathy, and anxiety.
References
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