What is Parkinson’s Disease? (PD)
Parkinson’s disease is caused by death of nerve cells in mid section of the brain; particularly the cells that are responsible for producing a chemical called dopamine. This reduction causes, Parkinson’s, a progressive neurological condition where part of the brain become progressively more damaged over many years.
Dopamine plays a vital role in regulating the movement of the body and the reduction of this chemical is responsible for many of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. The average age for the symptoms to start is around 60; although around 1 in 20 cases first develop in people aged fewer than 50. Men are one-and-half times more likely to get Parkinson’s disease than women.
