Research Paper On Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative brain disorder. This disease is both chronic and progressive in nature. In this disease, the brain slowly stops producing dopamine, a neurotransmitter that regulates body movements and emotions. This disease can present itself in many different symptoms, but the four main motor symptoms are: tremors at rest, slowness of movement, stiffness in arms and legs, and trouble with balance. Other symptoms like depression and anxiety often accompany Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s is diagnosed by a series of tests one including a DAT neuroimaging scan of the brain to identify the dopamine transporters and their functionality. A physician may record the results of a physical exam on the United Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale. This universal scale is used to document the patient’s disease progression from year to year.

Age, sex, and heredity all play a part in developing the disease. Young people, women, and those without Parkinson’s in their immediate family are less likely to develop the disease. Research has shown that people who do have high risk factors for Parkinson’s may be able to reduce their risk with regular aerobic exercise. However, once a patient has developed Parkinson’s disease their prognosis depends on the severity of their disease. Each patient has different symptoms and different intensities of those symptoms. Those with a more severe case of the disease will have a poor quality of life as opposed to those who are high functioning whom will have a higher quality of