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Secrets of the Nervous System: Do You Know How Parkinson's Disease Affects Our Movements and Thinking?
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease that primarily affects the central nervous system, involving both motor and non-motor systems. Symptoms usually develop gradually, with the prevalence of non-motor problems increasing as the disease progresses. Common motor symptoms include tremors, slow movements (bradykinesia), stiffness, and imbalance, which are collectively known as Parkinson's disease. In later stages, Parkinson's disease dementia, falls, and neuropsychiatric problems such as sleep abnormalities, psychosis, mood swings, or behavioral changes may occur.
Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease is based primarily on the presentation of symptoms, usually movement-related symptoms.
Parkinson’s typical symptoms appear in people over the age of 60, and about 1% of people in this age group are affected. If you are younger than 50 years old, it is called "early onset Parkinson's disease." There is currently no cure for Parkinson's disease, and treatment focuses on relieving symptoms. Initial treatments usually include L-DOPA, MAO-B inhibitors, or dopamine agonists. However, as the condition progresses, the effects of these medications may diminish and may cause involuntary muscle movements. Diet and rehabilitation therapy can also help improve symptoms. Deep brain stimulation techniques can be used to manage severe motor symptoms when therapy fails to control the condition.
Classification and terminology of Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease is defined as a neurodegenerative disease affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems. It is characterized by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra region. The disease is classified as an alpha-synucleinopathy because abnormal accumulation of the protein occurs in affected neurons, forming Lewy bodies. The loss of dopamine-producing neurons initially manifests as movement abnormalities, so Parkinson's disease can be further classified as a movement disorder.
The four main motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease - slow movement, unstable posture, stiffness and tremor - are collectively called "Parkinson's disease".
In 30% of cases, as the disease progresses, it will lead to a decline in cognitive function, called Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD). Neurodegenerative diseases can also cause other non-Parkinsonian motor symptoms, such as movement abnormalities caused by HIV infection or recreational drug use. Non-motor symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairment are more complex and gradually worsen as the disease progresses.
Symptoms of Parkinson's disease
Motor symptoms
Although Parkinson's disease has a wide range of motor and non-motor symptoms, its main features are tremors, bradykinesia, rigidity, and postural instability, collectively known as Parkinson's disease. About 70% to 75% of PD patients will experience tremor, and tremor is usually the main motor symptom.
In addition to the four primary motor symptoms, other secondary motor symptoms often occur, including impairments in walking, such as "stuck steps" or "sudden steps," which can lead to balance imbalances and falls. Most people with PD experience language problems, in addition to the above-mentioned symptoms, as well as changes in writing and reduced ability to collaborate.
Non-motor symptoms
Non-motor symptoms refer to problems unrelated to movement, including neuropsychiatric and cognitive problems. Abnormalities in the central nervous system of the brain lead to a variety of non-motor symptoms, covering emotional problems such as anxiety, fear, and depression.
Approximately 60% of patients with Parkinson's disease experience neuropsychiatric symptoms, which often precede motor symptoms.
Conclusion
Researchers are still learning more about the causes and mechanisms of Parkinson's disease, especially how genetic and environmental factors combine to explain the variability in symptoms between different patients. As research into this disease continues, will we be able to find more effective treatments that improve patients' quality of life?
