Parkinson's Disease (cont.)
Sietske N. Heyn, PhD
Sietske N. Heyn is a medical writer with a PhD in neuroscience. Dr. Heyn's education includes a BS with honors from the University of Oregon, and a doctoral degree in neuroscience from the University of California at Davis. After completing postdoctoral training at the University of California, San Francisco, and many years of working as a medical writer at the Stanford University Center for Down Syndrome Research, Dr. Heyn now runs her own medical writing business.
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
In this Article
- What is Parkinson's disease?
- What causes Parkinson's disease?
- What genes are linked to Parkinson's disease?
- Who is at risk for Parkinson's disease?
- What are the symptoms of Parkinson's disease?
- What other conditions resemble Parkinson's disease?
- How is Parkinson's disease diagnosed?
- What is the treatment for Parkinson's disease?
- How can people learn to cope with Parkinson's disease?
- Can Parkinson's disease be prevented?
- What is the prognosis for Parkinson's disease?
- Parkinson's Disease At A Glance
- Parkinson's Disease FAQs
- Find a local Neurologist in your town
Parkinson's disease at a glance
- Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder which leads to
progressive deterioration of motor function due to loss of dopamine-producing
brain cells.
- Primary symptoms include tremor, stiffness, slowness, impaired balance, and
later on a shuffling gait.
- Some secondary symptoms include anxiety, depression, and dementia.
- Most individuals with Parkinson's disease are diagnosed when they are 60
years old or older, but early-onset Parkinson's disease also occurs.
- With proper treatment, most individuals with Parkinson's disease can lead long, productive lives for many years after diagnosis.
REFERENCES:
Arenas, E.
Towards stem cell replacement therapies for Parkinson's disease. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 2010; vol 396: pp 152-156.
Chen, J.C. Parkinson's Disease: Health-Related Quality of Life, Economic Cost, and Implications of Early Treatment American Journal of Managing Care, 2010; vol 16: pp S87-S93.
Fricker-Gates, R.A. and Gates, M.A. Stem cell-derived dopamine neurons for repair in Parkinson's disease. Regenerative Medicine, March 2010; vol 5(2): pp267-78.
Hauser, R.A., Early Pharmacologic Treatment
in Parkinson's Disease. American Journal of Managing Care, 2010; vol 16: pp S100-S107.
Pahwa, R. and Lyons, K.E. diagnosis of Parkinson's disease: recommendations from diagnostic clinical guidelines. American Journal of Managing Care, 2010; vol 16: pp S194-S99.
Last Editorial Review: 8/23/2010
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