by EBSCO Medical Review Board

Parkinson disease is a movement disorder. It gets worse over time. The main symptoms are shaking, stiffness, balance problems, and slowed movements.

The Central Nervous System
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Parkinson disease happens when there is a breakdown of nerve cells in part of the brain. It is not known why this happens. It may be due to genes, the environment, or both. The nerve cells cannot make dopamine, a chemical that helps regulate movement.

What are the risk factors for Parkinson disease?What are the symptoms of Parkinson disease?How is Parkinson’s disease diagnosed?What are the treatments for Parkinson disease?Are there screening tests for Parkinson disease?What can I do to reduce my risk of Parkinson disease?What questions should I ask my doctor?Where can I get more information about Parkinson disease?

References

Homayoun H. Parkinson Disease. Ann Intern Med. 2018 Sep 4;169(5):ITC33-ITC48.

Parkinson disease. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/parkinson-disease. Accessed April 4, 2022.

Parkinson disease. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/neurologic-disorders/movement-and-cerebellar-disorders/parkinson-disease. Accessed April 4, 2022.

Parkinson's disease. American Association of Neurological Surgeons website. Available at: http://www.aans.org/en/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Parkinsons-Disease. Accessed April 4, 2022.

Parkinson's disease information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Available at: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Parkinsons-Disease-Information-Page. Accessed April 4, 2022.

Revision Information

  • Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Rimas Lukas, MD
  • Review Date: 03/2022
  • Update Date: 04/04/2022