Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is a chronic progressive degenerative syndrome of the extrapyramidal nervous system with specific clinical manifestations in the form of peculiar motor disorders and autonomic disorders of the hyperkinetic, akinetic or mixed type. It has been established that the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease is due to the following factors:

1. Hypokinesia - lack of motor activity. A decrease in muscle activity significantly reduces the synthesis and accumulation of dopamine in synapses, as well as its release during motor activity. 2. Dopaminogenesis deficiency - impaired activity of the DOPA-decarboxyl enzyme

Parkinson's disease: History, symptoms and treatment

Parkinson's disease, also known as Parkinson's disease, is named after the English physician James Parkinson, who first described its symptoms in 1817. It is a neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system that progresses over time and affects movement and coordination of the body.

Symptoms of Parkinson's disease usually begin gradually and can vary from patient to patient. The main symptoms are shaking of the limbs (especially at rest), slowness of movement (bradykinesia), muscle stiffness (rigidity) and problems with balance and gait. Patients may also experience changes in voice and speech, problems with digestion, sleep and mood. In some cases, cognitive impairment may occur, including problems with memory and thinking.

The cause of Parkinson's disease is still not fully understood, but it is known to be associated with the loss of neurons that produce dopamine, a substance needed to transmit signals between neurons. This loss of neurons occurs in an area of ​​the brain called the substantia nigra. Some studies point to genetic predisposition and environmental exposures as risk factors.

Although Parkinson's disease has no cure, there are treatments available to relieve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. Treatment may include medications such as dopaminomimetics, which compensate for the lack of dopamine in the brain, and medications that help manage other symptoms. Physical therapy and speech therapy may also be helpful in maintaining the patient's functionality.

In addition, in recent years, research has been conducted to find new treatments and possible causes of the disease. Some of these include deep brain stimulation, in which electrodes are inserted into specific areas of the brain to stimulate nerve centers and improve symptoms. Gene therapy and the use of stem cells to replace lost neurons are also being explored.

In conclusion, Parkinson's disease is a serious neurodegenerative disease that significantly affects the quality of life of patients. Although the cause of the disease is still unclear, there are treatments available to relieve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. New research and technology also open up the prospect of developing more effective treatments and perhaps even finding the source of the disease. Further research and medical developments could lead to breakthroughs in understanding and treating Parkinson's disease, bringing hope to those suffering from the condition.