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Table of Contents (click to jump to sections)

What is Parkinson's Disease?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?

Organizations
Related NINDS Publications

What is Parkinson's Disease?
Parkinson's disease belongs to a group of conditions called motor system disorders. Parkinson's and related disorders are the result of the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. Dopamine is a chemical messenger responsible for transmitting signals within the brain. Parkinson's disease occurs when certain nerve cells, or neurons, die or become impaired. Normally, these neurons produce dopamine. Loss of dopamine causes the nerve cells to fire out of control, leaving patients unable to direct or control their movement in a normal manner. The four primary symptoms of Parkinson's are tremor or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face; rigidity or stiffness of the limbs and trunk; bradykinesia, or slowness of movement; and postural instability or impaired balance and coordination. Patients may also have difficulty walking, talking, or completing other simple tasks. The disease is both chronic and progressive. Parkinson's is not usually inherited. Early symptoms are subtle and occur gradually.

Is there any treatment?
A variety of medications provide dramatic relief from the symptoms, but no drug can stop the progression of the disease. In some cases, surgery is an appropriate treatment. Some doctors recommend physical therapy or muscle-strengthening exercises.

What is the prognosis?
At present, there is no way to predict or prevent Parkinson's disease.

What research is being done?
The NINDS supports a broad range of studies aimed at discovering the cause(s) of Parkinson's disease, finding better treatments, and ultimately preventing and curing the disorder.

1250 Hylan Blvd.
Suite 4B
Staten Island NY 10305-1946
info@apdaparkinson.org
www.apdaparkinson.org
Tel: 718-981-8001 800-223-2732 888-400-2732 or 888-400-2732 Calif: 800-908-2732
Fax: 718-981-4399

National Parkinson Foundation

1501 N.W. 9th Avenue
Bob Hope Research Center
Miami FL 33136-1494
mailbox@parkinson.org
www.parkinson.org
Tel: 305-547-6666 800-327-4545 Fla: 800-433-7022
Fax: 305-243-4403

Parkinson Alliance

211 College Road East
3rd Floor
Princeton NJ 08540
admin@parkinsonalliance.net
www.parkinsonalliance.net
Tel: 609-688-0870 800-579-8440
Fax: 609-688-0875

Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

Grand Central Station
P.O. Box 4777
New York NY 10163
www.michaeljfox.org
Tel: 212-213-3525

Parkinson's Action Network (PAN)

840 Third Street
Santa Rosa CA 95404
info@parkinsonaction.org
www.parkinsonaction.org
Tel: 800-850-4726 DC: 202-628-2079 Calif: 707-544-1994
Fax: 707-544-2363

Parkinson's Disease Foundation (PDF)

710 W. 168th Street
New York NY 10032-9982
info@pdf.org
www.parkinsons-foundation.org
Tel: 212-923-4700 800-457-6676
Fax: 212-923-4778

Parkinson's Institute

1170 Morse Avenue
Sunnyvale CA 94089-1605
outreach@parkinsonsinstitute.org
www.parkinsonsinstitute.org
Tel: 408-734-2800 800-786-2958
Fax: 408-734-8522

Parkinson's Resource Organization

74-090 El Paseo
Suite 102
Palm Desert CA 92260-4135
copsca@gte.net
www.parkinsonsresource.org
Tel: 760-773-5628 310-476-7030 877-775-4111
Fax: 760-773-9803

Parkinson's Support Groups of America

11376 Cherry Hill Road
#204
Beltsville MD 20705
Tel: 301-937-1545