Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month

HealthWatch for November 2007
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Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder that affects nerve cells in a part of the brain that controls muscle movement. These nerve cells produce a chemical called dopamine. An individual living with Parkinson’s have dopamine cells that are dying or not working properly, which leads to a significant reduction of the amount of dopamine produced in the brain.. Dopamine normally sends signals that help coordinate your movements. It has not yet been discovered what damages these cells.

“It is estimated that 60,000 new cases of Parkinson’s disease are diagnosed each year, adding to the estimated one to 1.5 million Americans who currently have the disease.”
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons

Parkinson’s usually begins around age 55 to 60, but there have been incidences where it has developed at an earlier age. Researchers believe that it is more common in men than in women. Parkinson’s disease symptoms include trembling of hands, arms, legs, jaw and face. Individuals may also feel a stiffness of the arms and legs, which can lead to a gradual slowness of movement and poor balance or coordination.

Although a primary cause for Parkinson’s disease is yet to be identified, a number of risk factors are clearly evident.

Advancing Age - Although there is the occasional case of the disease developing in a young adult, it generally manifests itself in the middle to late years of life. The risk continues to increase the older one gets. Some researchers assume that people with Parkinson’s have neural damage from genetic or environmental factors that get worse as they age.
Gender - Males are more likely to get Parkinson’s than females. Possible reasons for this may be that males have greater exposure to other risk factors such as toxin exposure or head trauma. It has been theorized that estrogen may have neuro-protective effects. Or, in the case of genetic predisposition, a gene predisposing someone to Parkinson’s may be linked to the X chromosome.
Family History - Having one or more close relatives with the disease increases the likelihood that you will get it, but to a minimal degree. This lends support to the idea that there is a genetic link in developing Parkinson’s.
Declining Estrogen Levels - Post menopausal women who do not use hormone replacement therapy are at greater risk, as are those who have had hysterectomies.
Agricultural Work - Exposure to an environmental toxin such as a pesticide or herbicide puts you at greater risk. Some of these toxins inhibit dopamine production and promote free radical damage. Those involved in farming and are therefore exposed to such toxins have a greater prevalence of Parkinson’s symptoms.
Genetic Factors- A Mayo Clinic-led international study revealed that the gene alpha-synuclein may play a role in the likelihood of developing the disease. Studies showed that individuals with a more active gene had a 1.5 times greater risk of developing Parkinson’s. These findings support the development of alpha-synuclein suppressing therapies, which may in the long run slow or even halt the disease.
Low Levels of B Vitamin Folate - Researchers discovered that mice with a deficiency of this vitamin developed severe Parkinson’s symptoms, while those with normal levels did not.
Head Trauma - Recent research points to a link between damage to the head, neck, or upper cervical spine and Parkinson’s. A 2007 study of 60 patients showed that all of them showed evidence of trauma induced upper cervical damage. Some patients remembered a specific incident, others did not. In some cases Parkinson’s symptoms took decades to appear.

Resource: Parkinsons.org

Even though there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease presently, there are many treatment options, such as medications and surgery, to reduce the symptoms of the disease.

State and Local Resources

Cleveland Clinic: How is Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosed?
Cleveland Seniors: Parkinson’s Disease Treatment Options
National Parkinson Foundation: Support Groups in Ohio
NetWellness: General Information, Symptoms, Treatments, and Staying Healthy
University Hospitals: Movement Disorders Center

Parkinson’s Disease Resources in Cleveland:
American Parkinson Disease Association Information and Referral Center
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Desk S10
9500 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland, Ohio 44195
Tel: (216) 445-8480
Fax: (216) 636-2018

National Resources

American Parkinson’s Disease Association: Young Parkinson’s Information
The Michael J. Fox Foundation: Family Dementia Risk Seen with Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s Disease Foundation: Parkinson’s Disease: An Overview
My Parkinson’s Info: Diagnosing Parkinson’s Early
The Parkinson’s Institute: About Parkinson’s Disease