Parkinson's Disease: no cause no cure
There’s no single test to detect for Parkinson’s, and no clear indication of what causes it in certain patients, although doctors technically understand that it happens.
Parkinson’s, a progressive neurological disorder that afflicts movement, balance, and speech.
Famous patients-turned-advocates include Michael J. Fox, Janet Reno, and Muhammad Ali.
Certain neurons malfunction and die off, leading the brain to stop producing dopamine that’s an essential chemical for regulating movement.
Older men ms are at an elevated risk for the disease, but about 10% of patients suffer from young-onset Parkinson’s, which means they were diagnosed before they were 40 years-old.
For Parkinson’s patients, the constellation of symptoms can vary widely. Tremors and vocal spasms are common; some sufferers even find themselves unable to walk through doors, feeling as though their feet are stuck to the ground.
The disease is known to cause depression in as many 60% of patients — it’s the “most overlooked symptom” of having Parkinson’s, according to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation.