You have probably heard about Parkinsons’s Disease because of Michael J. Fox the actor, or the world famous boxer Muhammad Ali. It is an extremely debilitating condition that causes people to lose control over their muscles. 
Parkinson’s is a slowly progressing degenerative disorder of the nervous system. While Parkinson’s in itself is not fatal, it can lead to severe depression, pneumonia, choking and death. Brain cells that control movement require a chemical called ‘dopamine’. In Parkinson’s, dopamine producing cells are slowly lost. If the cause for these cells dying is not very clear, the condition is labelled ‘Primary Parkinsonism’. ‘Secondary Parkinsonism’ is caused by some disease or some checmical interfering and killing dopamine producing brain cells. Very rarely, it can also be caused by carbon monoxide or manganese poisoning, lesions or tumors in the brain stem, or an illegal drug called N-MPTP.
The main symptoms of Parkinson’s include shaking and trembling; slowed movement; trouble maintaining balance; stiffness in the arms, legs or torso. This may be accompanied by several other symptoms as well.
People suffering from Parkinson’s also suffer from depression, and have a high risk for developing dementia.
Unfortunately, there is no cure yet for Parkinson’s disease. treatment is generally aimed at reducing the symptoms, so it has to be tailored for each individual.
Treatment for Parkinson’s involves medication and lifestyle changes. In some cases surgery may be necessary.
The first line of defence in the treatment of Parkinson’s is usually Levodopa. Levodopa is generally combined with Carbidopa (Levodopa/Carbidopa), Benserazide, or Entacapone for better delivery of the Levodopa.
Other medications for Parkinson’s include Pramipexole, Ropinirole, and Bromocriptine. A different type of medication like Benztropine, Selegeline or Amantadine may also be prescribed.
Physical therapy is very helpful. So is a balanced healthy diet with plenty of fibre; drinking a lot of water; and keeping physically active. All these help improve the symptoms of Parkinson’s.
When medication does not help in controlling the symptoms of Parkinson’s, Deep Brain Stimulation is considered as an option. An electric charge is sent thorugh a wire to the areas of the brain that control movement. This blocks the abnormal signals produced in Parkinson’s disease. Scientists are continuing research in this field, trying to find better areas to target during this procedure.
Fantastic steps are made everyday to help find a cure for Parkinson’s.
Researchers are studying the benefits of high doses of CoQ10, Creatine and Monoamine Oxidase B. to help sufferers of Parkinson’s.
Professor Peter Redgrave leads a team of researchers made up of international clinical experts who are trying to help those suffering from Parkinson’s regain smoother movement by actually removing a part of the brain.
Ms. Van Kampen, an assistant professor of neuro-science at the Mayo Clinic has found a method of making dormant neurons take up the role of producing dopamine, thus helping the brain control movement.
Professor D. James Surmeier found in a new study that the blood pressure drug Isradipine rejuvenates aging dopamine cells. This may help prevent Parkinson’s from developing if detected early enough.
Stem Cell Research and Gene Therapy will hopefully provide a cure for Parkinson’s very soon. Many scientists are researching the extremely controversial Fetal Cell Transplant where cells from aborted foetuses are used to replicate brain cells.
It is estimated that a complete cure for Parkinson’s will be found within about a decade. I am sure this provides enormous hope for people suffering from Parkinson’s.
You’ve probably read in People that I’m a nice guy – but when the doctor first told me I had Parkinson’s, I wanted to kill him.
Michael J. Fox
Here’s hoping for a complete cure!
Sonia.
