Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive disorder of the central nervous system resulting from a loss of dopamine-producing brain cells that affect movement. It’s characterized by slowness, stiffness, resting tremor, speech changes, impaired balance, and potentially nonmotor symptoms like anxiety, depression, and challenges with thinking and memory. While it’s not considered a fatal disease, it is associated with significant morbidity and disability, and complications from PD can challenge vital activities like eating and sleeping.

Parkinson’s disease has become the fastest growing neurological disorder worldwide, with approximately one million people diagnosed in the U.S. The average age at diagnosis for people with PD is 60; as people live longer, the number of people living with PD is predicted to grow significantly over the coming decades. Beyond age, family history, exposure to some toxins, and being male are potential risk factors.

There is no cure, but there are more and better ways to treat symptoms, including everything from aerobic exercise to medications and even surgeries. Nevertheless, Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, high-burden disease to live with, with uneven access to movement disorder specialists, treatment continuity, and affordable formulations. Hope and opportunity comes from greater awareness, which helps drive more scientific study and community support.