What is Parkinson's Disease?

Parkinson's disease is a disease of the central nervous system that causes problems with body motions, including tremor (shakiness), rigidity (muscle stiffness), slowed body movements, unstable posture, and difficulty walking. It happens when nerve cells (neurons) in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra gradually die. These cells normally produce dopamine, a chemical that helps to relay messages between areas of the brain that control body movement. The death of cells in this area of the brain leads to abnormally low levels of dopamine, which makes it difficult for a person with Parkinson's disease to control muscle tension and muscle movement, both at rest and during periods of activity. For information on causes, diagnosis, and resources click here.

Further reading: After the diagnosis: living with Parkinson's.

Photo: A PET scan of the brain can assist in the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.

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Research News

Featuring Harvard Medical School and Affiliated Hospitals

Neuron Connections might be key to stemming Parkinson's.

Study Identifies Novel Drug Target Blocking enzyme activity may also reduce brain cell death in Huntington's, other disorders.

Parkinson's-risk Gene Mutation may Lead to Earlier Symptom Onset Mutations in a known gene may influence the age at which symptoms first appear.

New Findings About Parkinson's Disease: Coffee and Hormones Don't Mix Several large studies have shown that caffeine intake is associated with a reduced risk of developing Parkinson's disease (PD) in men, but studies in women have been inconclusive.

Study Points to Potential Role for Caffeine in Reducing the Risk of Parkinsonís Disease Study Points to Potential Role for Caffeine in Reducing the Risk of Parkinson's Disease.

Research Stories

From the Harvard University Gazette

Human stem cells help monkeys recover from Parkinson's The same treatment might work in humans.

Physical Activity Linked to Protection from Parkinson's Disease Strenuous exercise in early adulthood cuts risk in men.

New Drug Eases Effects of Parkinson's Helps those in moderate, advanced stages of disease.

Common Painkillers Reduce Risk of Parkinson's
In the first study to investigate the potential benefit of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in reducing the risk of Parkinson's disease, regular users of these drugs had a lower risk than nonusers.

>More HU Gazette on Parkinson's Disease

Scientific Reports

From HMS Faculty Newsletter Focus

Protein Cuts Down Parkinson's in animal model.

Fetal-cell Transplants Reverse Parkinson's in Two Patients Encouraging evidence that cell-based therapies can work.

Early Step in Protein-folding Revealed by Bacterial Mutant
Mistakes in protein folding are thought to play a role in a wide variety of illnesses from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, the human equivalent of mad cow, to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. >More Science Reports