Parkinsons disease produces tremors and muscular rigidity because of damage to

Parkinson’s disease is a complex motor disorder that can cause unintentional or uncontrollable movements. It typically occurs due to low levels of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a chemical that plays an important role in movement and coordination.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive disorder that develops due to the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain that control movement. Normally, dopamine and other neurotransmitters work together to help coordinate movement. But without sufficient dopamine, this is not possible.

Estimates are that roughly 1.5 million people in the United States currently have Parkinson’s disease, with approximately 60,000 American people receiving a diagnosis each year.

In this article, we will discuss the role of dopamine in Parkinson’s disease, as well as symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for the condition.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder of the nervous system that affects movement and worsens over time.

The condition occurs due to damage or death of nerve cells, or neurons, in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra. This part of the brain plays a critical role in controlling movement.

Neurons in the substantia nigra are dopaminergic. This means they are responsible for producing dopamine. If they are unable to produce dopamine, a person will likely begin to experience movement-related problems, such as tremors, rigidity, slowness of movement, and poor balance, which are all symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter that plays a critical role in a number of bodily functions, such as movement and coordination. As such, low dopamine levels can cause problems with movement.

Dopamine is the chemical messenger that transmits signals between the substantia nigra and the corpus striatum. Researchers may refer to this as the nigrostriatal pathway. Both the substantia nigra and corpus striatum form part of the basal ganglia, which is a group of structures in the brain that help facilitate movement.

Low levels of dopamine may disrupt the nigrostriatal pathway and cause abnormal nerve firing patterns, which can result in movement problems. Evidence suggests that most people with PD lose 60–80% or more of dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra by the time they present symptoms.

The four main symptoms of PD include:

• Tremor: This refers to the shaking a person with PD may experience. It often begins in a hand but can start in a foot or the jaw. It features a characteristic rhythmic back-and-forth motion and is most obvious at rest or when under stress. It may also disappear during sleep.
• Rigidity: This refers to muscle stiffness or difficulty moving. Often, the muscles remain constantly tense, which may cause a person to feel stiff or achy.
• Bradykinesia: This refers to slow or difficult movement, which can make performing simple tasks difficult. This may mean that routine activities such as washing or dressing now take much longer.
• Postural instability: Changes in posture and poor balance can increase the risk of falls and potential injuries.

Click here to learn more about the signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

People may not experience PD the same way, and the progression of the condition may also differ among individuals.

Early symptoms may be subtle and occur gradually. People may experience mild tremors, start noticing difficulty moving, or realize that tasks begin to take longer to complete. Some may notice that symptoms begin on one side of the body but eventually affect both sides. Symptoms are often less severe on one side than the other.

As the condition progresses, symptoms may start to interfere more with daily tasks. People may notice that shaking makes it very difficult for them to eat, they struggle getting out of a seat, and they may speak too softly or with hesitation.

Click here to learn more about the stages of Parkinson’s disease.

Researchers are still unsure on the precise cause of PD. At present, evidence suggests that it most likely results from a combination of genetics and exposure to environmental factors that trigger the condition.

Scientists have identified that PD occurs when neurons in the brain become impaired or die and start producing less dopamine. However, they are unclear exactly what causes this. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke suggests the following potential causes:

• Genetics: Several genetic mutations appear to have links with PD. However, researchers do not consider the condition to be hereditary. Research suggests that genetic factors may only account for roughly 10% of cases.
• Environment: Exposure to certain toxins, such as MPTP or manganese, may result in the development of PD. There may also be many other environmental factors that may contribute to the condition in genetically susceptible individuals.
• Lewy bodies: A person with PD may have deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein in their brain. Experts may refer to this protein clump as Lewy bodies. The accumulation of these proteins may cause the degeneration of neurons that typically results in PD.
• Mitochondria: Many people may refer to mitochondria as the powerhouses of the cell. Some research indicates that mitochondrial dysfunction may cause the neurodegeneration that results in PD.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement. It occurs due to low levels of dopamine in the area of the brain that facilitates movement. Without sufficient dopamine, the brain is unable to transmit signals to correctly coordinate movement.

Experts are still unsure of the exact cause of Parkinson’s disease, but suspect that genetics and the environment play a role. Current treatment options include drug therapy, surgery, and complementary therapies.