 Parkinson’s Disease (PD) -progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting motor ability -third most common neurologic disorder of older adults

 Population at risk: Male> Female Two types 1) yrs. of age (young onset) Michael J. Fox at age 30 2) yrs. of age (idiopathic) over 1 million affected in US with 50, ,000 new cases each year

 Genetics- only about 5%  Environmental factors -rural living -well water -pesticides/herbicides  Age

Presence of motor dysfunction with 4 cardinal symptoms  resting tremor  akinesia (slowness of body movement)  rigidity  Postural instability NO PREVENTION, NO CURE

 Degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra of the midbrain › Disrupts the balance of:  dopamine (DA) – neurotransmitter for normal functioning of the extrapyramidal motor system  Acetylcholine (Ach)  Symptoms do not occur until 80% of the neurons in the substantia nigra are lost

 Fatigue  Problems with manual dexterity  Slight tremor  Rigidity  Changes in facial expression  Uncontrolled drooling

 Dementia  Dysphagia  Excessive perspiration  Orthostatic hypotension  No specific diagnostic tests