Parkinson's disease is a degenerative motor system disorder caused by the death of brain cells that produce dopamine. Parkinson's disease affects women and men, though it doesn't usually occur until after the age of 50. Symptoms include tremors in the hands, jaw, legs and arms; rigidity of the face and limbs; slowness of movement; and impaired balance.
Parkinson's Disease
These days, Parkinson's disease is one of the most common nervous system disorders affecting the elderly. The disease occurs as the nerve cells in the brain that produce the chemical dopamine become slowly and irreversibly damaged. This means the brain is unable to transmit messages to the nervous system. The eventual result is a gradual loss of muscle functions.
Treatment
There is currently no cure for Parkinson's disease, but a range of treatments are available. Patients are usually prescribed levodopa, often in combination with carbidopa. Levodopa is converted to dopamine in the brain. Carbidopa prevents levodopa from transforming into dopamine until it reaches the brain, where it then adds to the brain's diminished supply. Other therapies such as physical and neurological rehabilitation are also appropriate.
Cues
Over the past few years, a number of advances have been made in neurological rehabilitation for Parkinson's sufferers. Gait research is one such area. It emphasizes self-paced walking exercises and examines the differences between individual sufferers when they are both on and off their dopaminergic medications. This enables researchers to measure the differences in gait before and after medication and to take into account any side effects of medication. Visual and auditory cues are used in rehabilitation to help sufferers with their walking movements. Visual cues include parallel lines on the ground to guide stepping. Examples of auditory cues are high- and low-pitched notes used as cues for when to take steps.
Deep Brain Stimulation
In some cased of advanced Parkinson's disease, a neurological therapy known as deep brain stimulation (DBS) may be recommended. DBS involves implanting electrodes into the patient's brain and then connecting them to a small electrical machine called a pulse generator. The device is programmed externally to stimulate the electrodes. The result is a reduced need for dopaminergic medications. DBS can also help to reduce symptoms such as tremors and gait problems.
