Symptoms and Possible Causes Cures for Parkinsons Disease

McHenry, Michael

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/113599 Copy

Description

Title

Symptoms and Possible Causes Cures for Parkinsons Disease

Author(s)

McHenry, Michael

Issue Date

2021

Keyword(s)

• Parkinsons Disease
• Neurodegenerative Disorders

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease is the world’s second most common neurodegenerative disorder, afflicting nearly 10 million people worldwide.1 While it is a fairly common disease, its exact causes are unknown and there is no known cure. Since the early 1800s, Parkinson’s disease has befuddled scientists. But now, cutting edge research has led scientists to believe that the solution to the Parkinson’s puzzle may lie within our intestines.Before delving into its interesting connection to the gut, one must first understand the basic symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Usually, Parkinson’s disease most often affects individuals over the age of 60, but in some cases, symptoms can be seen in patients before they turn 50.1 The main symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease are uncontrollable shaking, slowed movements, impaired coordination, and body stiffness. These symptoms make life for those with the disease difficult, especially as they get older. The primary cause of those symptoms is the depletion of the brain’s dopaminergic neurons.1 Dopaminergic neurons are responsible for releasing dopamine, a neurotransmitter that functions to facilitate communication between the substantia nigra and the basal ganglia. This interaction helps a human fine-tune his/her movement by helping the brain determine the energy cost of a particular movement.8 Without dopamine-producing neurons, this interaction becomes impossible and results in the previously listed symptoms of the disease.

Publisher

University of Illinois Undergraduate Neuroscience Society

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/113599

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2021 Michael McHenry

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