Parkinson’s disease is a progressive condition that causes the nervous system and brain to deteriorate over time. Parkinson’s disease affects the basal ganglia of the brain, and it induces a shift in the brain’s chemistry. While this condition is best known for how it affects muscle control, balance and movement, it can also cause a wide range of other effects on your senses, thinking ability, and mental health.

Parkinson’s disease is more common in males than females, and although the average age that Parkinson’s disease starts is approximately 60 years, in rare cases it can occur in adults as young as 20 years old. Although the causes of Parkinson’s disease are generally not known, some cases may be linked to an inherited genetic factor.

Normally, the brain uses neurotransmitters to control how brain cells communicate with one another. However, when a patient has Parkinson’s disease, there aren’t enough neurotransmitters to fine-tune muscle movements.

The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease begin slowly. As Parkinson’s progresses, the symptoms intensify. The latter stages of Parkinson’s disease impact the brain’s functionality by inducing depression, and cognitive problems.

There are various motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, which include:

• Anosmia
• Blinking less often
• Cramped handwriting
• Depression
• Drooling
• Dysphagia
• Hypomimia
• Hypophonia
• Muscle tremors
• Orthostatic hypotension
• Sleep problems
• Slowed movements
• Stiffness or rigidity
• Trouble focusing
• Unstable posture or gait

In addition to the standard clinical diagnostic process, your physician will likely order imaging and diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions, such as genetic testing, CT scan, MRI, and PET scan, and blood tests.

Furthermore, a spinal tap or skin biopsy may be ordered to confirm the presence of misfolded alpha-synuclein proteins – an indicator of Parkinson’s disease.

Currently, there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease.

The primary method of treatment for Parkinson’s disease is medication. Medications are either prescribed to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease or the disease itself.

Another treatment option is the surgical implantation of a deep brain stimulation device that administers a mild electric current to the affected region of the brain. Stem cell-based therapies are also a viable treatment option.