Parkinson’s disease|Bioinformatics Institute in Noida

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological illness named after Dr. James Parkinson, a physician who was the first to describe in his essay “An essay on the Shaking palsy” 1817. Parkinson‘s disease is a disorder caused by the gradual loss of cells in a small part of the brain called the substantial nigra. The loss (death) of these cells produces a reduction in a vital chemical called “dopamine”, which causes symptoms that may include loss of facial expression, reduction in speech volume and clarity, change in size of handwriting, dry skin, constipation, urinary difficulties and depression. It is a progressive disorder; hence these symptoms worsen with time. Parkinson’s disease belongs to a group of conditions called movement disorders. It is characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor, a slowing of physical movement (Bradykinesia) and in extreme cases, a loss of physical movement (Akinesia). The primary symptoms are the results of decreased stimulation of the motor cortex by the basal ganglia, normally caused by the insufficient formation and action of dopamine, which is produced in the dopaminergic neurons of the brain. Secondary symptoms may include high level cognitive dysfunction and subtle language problem. Most people with Parkinson’s disease are described as having idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (having no specific cause). There are far less common causes of Parkinson’s disease including genetic, toxins, head trauma, cerebral anoxia, and drug- induced Parkinson’s disease. In recent year, a number of specific genetic mutations causing Parkinson’s disease have been discovered, including in certain population (Contursi, Italy). These account for a small minority of cases of Parkinson’s disease. Someone who has Parkinson’s disease is more likely to have relatives that also have Parkinson’s disease. However, this does not mean that the disorder has been passed on genetically. There is also recent evidence that a common gene defect contributes susceptibility to both Parkinson’ disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

Author Name Mr. Ranjan Kumar

HOD, Bioinformatics Institute of India