Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder of the brain caused by the death or impairment of nerve cells in part of the brain called the substantia nigra, which controls movement. As these brain cells become impaired, they lose their ability to produce an important chemical called dopamine.

An estimated 1.5 million Americans currently have Parkinson’s disease, and approximately 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. The condition usually develops after the age of 55, but sometimes strikes people in their 30s and 40s. It affects both men and women and is one of the most common nervous system disorders of the elderly.

The main motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are tremors at rest, stiffness, slowing of movement (bradykinesia), and postural instability. These symptoms may be mild at first and may affect one or both sides of the body. Parkinson’s disease can also impair other body functions such as sleep, vision, and digestion. In later stages of Parkinson’s disease, non-motor symptoms develop. These non-motor symptoms include:

• Autonomic dysfunctions such as low blood pressure when getting up, sweating, drooling, and lack of body temperature control.
• Cognitive symptoms such as difficulty with planning and abstract thinking, fluctuations in attention, and slowed cognitive speed.
• Behavioral symptoms such as mood alterations, depression, apathy, and anxiety.
• Impairment to other body functions such as sleep, vision, and digestion.

Parkinson's disease is mainly diagnosed based on symptoms, medical history, and a neurological exam. Neuroimaging, such as a MRI, is sometimes used to rule out other disorders with similar symptoms. During an initial evaluation, you will meet with a team of highly specialized professionals that includes a fellowship trained Parkinson’s disease specialist, a pharmacist, a speech therapist, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, and a social worker. They will prepare a customized treatment plan based on your individual needs. The multidisciplinary clinic takes a patient-centric approach, offering exceptional care and service for Parkinson’s patients and caregivers.

There is no known cure for Parkinson's disease, so the goal of treatment is to control the symptoms' effects. Treatment options include: