Parkinson's Disease

Overview

Parkinson’s Disease is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder characterized by slowness and poorness of purposeful movement and rigid Muscles. Parkinson’s disease is associated with depletion of tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.

 Parkinson's Disease normally manifests only in persons above the age of 40.

Cells

 Impaired function of the Mitochondria is closely associated with the progression of Parkinson’s Disease:  ^[1]

 Parkinson’s Disease is associated with a significant level of damage to the Deoxyribonucleic Acid content of the Mitochondria (i.e. to Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA).

Nervous System

 Damage to the Basal Ganglia caused by Neurotoxins has been implicated in the development and progression of Parkinson’s Disease.  ^[2]

 Parkinson's Disease occurs when the Myelin Sheaths of Neurons are damaged by Oxidation (caused by the excessive generation of Free Radicals).  ^[3]

 Degeneration of the dopaminergic (Dopamine-using) Neurons (and subsequent decline in Dopamine levels) in the Substantia Nigra (tiny area of the Brain) is implicated in the development of Parkinson's Disease:  ^[4]

 Usually, by the time Parkinson’s Disease has been diagnosed, 75% of the Dopaminergic (i.e. Dopamine-using) Neurons in the Substantia Nigra of Parkinson’s Disease patients have already been destroyed (this aspect indicates that a full-cure for Parkinson’s Disease must involve the regrowth of Dopaminergic Neurons in this region of the Brain).