Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system characterized by progressive movement disorders. The disease is named after the English physician James Parkinson, who first published a description of the symptoms in 1817.

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The cause of Parkinson's disease has not yet been fully clarified. However, there is a loss of nerve cells in the brain that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine. The lack of dopamine leads to disturbed signal transmission in the brain, especially in the area of the basal ganglia, which are responsible for controlling movement processes.

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Typical symptoms of Parkinson's disease are muscle stiffness, tremors, slow movements (bradykinesia) and a disturbed posture. Non-motor symptoms such as sleep disorders, depression and dementia can also occur.

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The diagnosis of Parkinson's disease is based on clinical examination and assessment of medical history. Brain imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may also be done in some cases.

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Treatment of Parkinson's disease aims to relieve symptoms and improve the patient's quality of life. Drugs that compensate for the lack of dopamine and can thus improve mobility play an important role. In special cases, deep brain stimulation can also be used, in which the activity of certain brain regions is modulated by targeted electrical impulses.

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Overall, Parkinson's disease is a widespread disease that primarily affects older people. According to recent estimates, around 10 million people are affected worldwide. Despite intensive research, the cause has not yet been fully clarified and there are currently no cures.