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Parkinsons Disease
By Ryan Fyfe

Parkinson's disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disease of the substantia nigra, was first discovered and
its symptoms documented in 1817. This discovery and docomentation was by British physician Dr. James Parkinson.
It wasn't until the 1960's that the associated biochemical changes in the brain of patients were able to be
identified. Although many genes have recently been identified, there are still several others that remain unkown.
Parkinson's disease involves a progressive movement disorder of the extrapyramidal system.

The extrapyramidal system controls and adjusts communication between neurons in the brain and muscles in the
human body. As you can see this is a huge, and important task. PD will commonly coincide with depression and
disturbances of sensory systems due to the damage that it has on the brain. Aprroximately one out of every 600
people have Parkinson's disease in the United States of America. The rates increase with age, especially
apparent in those over 55.

Still unknown, is the cause of Parkinson's disease. 9 different genetic defects have been found. Each of these
nine cause the disease in 1 or a few more familes with extremely high incidences of the disease. This
unfortunately hasn't take geneticists further as these familes are so rare to find. Although strong inheritance
patterns are extremely rare, an person who is infected with PD is 3 to 4 times more likely to have a close
relative who also has PD.

Today the strongest theory for the cause of Parkinson's disease is from "the combination of a subtle genetically-
determined vulnerability to environmental toxins along with even limited exposure to those toxins. The toxins most
strongly suspected at present are certain pesticides and industrial metals."

I wish that I had an answer like many others do to the cause of Parkinson's. One thing that we know though,
is that as science and technology increases, so will man's understanding of diseases such as Parkinson's.

Ryan Fyfe is the owner and operator of Parkinsons Disease Treatment - www.parkinsons-disease-treatment.com,
which is the best site on the internet for all Parkinsons Disease related information.

Article Source:
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