Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is a brain disorder. It occurs when certain nerve cells (neurons) in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra die or become impaired. When approximately 80 percent of neurons are damaged, the symptoms of Parkinson's disease appear. Parkinson's disease affects 1 in 100 people over the age of 60, with the average age of onset being 60 years. The risk of developing Parkinson's disease increases with age. In the United States, it is estimated that 60,000 new cases of Parkinson's disease are diagnosed each year, with 1.5 million Americans currently living with the disease.

What is Parkinson's Disease?

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disease of the brain. It affects parts of the brain that are associated with normal movement and balance.

Parkinson's Disease Pathophysiology

Parkinson's Disease Diagnosis

Parkinson's Disease Treatment

Parkinson's Disease Prognosis

Parkinson's Disease History

Parkinson's Disease Research

Parkinson's Disease Support

Herpes Virus and Parkinson's Disease

Physiotherapy for Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's Compared to Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB)

VPS35 Gene and Parkinson's Disease

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Latest Parkinson's Disease News and Research

The long-term neurologic consequences of COVID-19

A team of researchers recently provided insights into central nervous system consequences of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a perspective paper published in the Science journal.

24 Jan 2022

New pose estimation software may help neurology patients to capture clinical data using simple tools

New pose estimation software has the potential to help neurologists and their patients capture important clinical data using simple tools such as smartphones and tablets, according to a study by Johns Hopkins Medicine, the Kennedy Krieger Institute and the University of Maryland.

24 Jan 2022

Most DMARDs not linked with the risk of Parkinson's disease in people with rheumatoid arthritis

The autoimmune disorder rheumatoid arthritis has been associated with a lower risk of Parkinson's disease (PD) in previous studies, with antirheumatic drugs as one possible explanatio

24 Jan 2022

Researchers call for more work to address unmet needs of women with Parkinson's disease

Researchers in a multi-institution study led by UCLA Health have identified several overlooked issues affecting women with Parkinson's Disease (PD) and call for more research, customized treatments, education and support to empower women living with this disease and to address their unmet medical needs.

22 Jan 2022

UC researchers to examine how stress hormones affect cell degeneration in Parkinson's patients

Stress can have a negative effect on anyone's health but presents particular challenges for people with Parkinson's disease.

13 Jan 2022

Novel insights about dopamine can help find better drugs for Parkinson's patients

New findings provide a better understanding of how the synthesis of dopamine is regulated in the brain. It may shed new light on the mechanism behind diseases such as Parkinson's.

12 Jan 2022

JPND announces call for multinational research on understanding the mechanisms of non-pharmacological interventions

The EU Joint Programme - Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND) initiative has announced a joint transnational call for multinational research on understanding the mechanisms of non-pharmacological interventions.

10 Jan 2022

Study reinforces the link between microglia and some cases of brain disease

Certain subtle differences in DNA sequences are known to raise the chances a person may develop Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease.

6 Jan 2022

AAN issues new guideline on oral and topical treatments for painful diabetic neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy refers to nerve damage due to diabetes and it may lead to pain and numbness, most often in the hands and feet. To help neurologists and other doctors determine the best treatment for people with diabetic neuropathy, the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) has issued a guideline on oral and topical treatments for painful diabetic neuropathy.

28 Dec 2021

Study points toward an alternative drug strategy to stall Alzheimer’s neurodegeneration

Boosting levels of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine with atomoxetine, a repurposed ADHD medication, may be able to stall neurodegeneration in people with early signs of Alzheimer's disease, a study conducted at Emory Brain Health Center suggests.

22 Dec 2021

Major international research center may drive the development of future stem cell-based treatments

A grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation of up to 300 million euro now enables the establishment of a major international research center focused on stem cell medicine.

17 Dec 2021

Study: Common gene mutation for Parkinson's disease drives mislocalization of iron in the brain

A common gene mutation for Parkinson's disease drives mislocalization of iron in activated microglia, according to a new study publishing December 16th in the open-access journal PLOS Biology, by Mark Cookson of the National Institute on Aging and colleagues

17 Dec 2021