Conditions InDepth: Parkinson Disease
Parkinson disease is a movement problem of the brain and spinal cord. It worsens over time. Hallmark problems are shaking, stiffness, balance problems, and slowed movements.
The Central Nervous SystemCopyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. |
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.
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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. Updated October 4, 2019. Accessed February 24, 2020.
Parkinson disease. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at:
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Updated December 2018. Accessed February 24, 2020.
Parkinson's disease. American Association of Neurological Surgeons website. Available at:
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Accessed February 24, 2020.
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. Updated August 28, 2019. Accessed February 24, 2020.
Last reviewed November 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review Board
Rimas Lukas, MD
Last Updated: 1/26/2021