Etiology
Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that plagues people indiscriminately around the world. Typically coming on in old age, the disease is characterized by neurons, or nerve cells in the brain, breaking down or dying . The specific cause of the disease is still unknown to scientists today despite copious amounts of research, but we are quickly learning there are many factors playing a role in the development of Parkinson’s disease in an individual. For example, according to Environmental Health Perspectives, one of the greatest etiological perspectives is one’s genetics and genetic history. Genes specific to an individual may be mutated, and these mutations can lead to Parkinson’s disease. However, a single mutation in an individual that leads to Parkinson’s disease is rare; it is far more common if another individual in the genetic line has the same mutation and has Parkinson’s . Research has suggested environmental triggers also prompt Parkinson’s disease to develop, as stated in, “Movement Disorders: Neurobiology .” Toxins found in the environment have increased the risk of developing the disease later, though thus far the suggested risk is relatively small.
Symptoms/Course of Syndrome
Many symptoms accompany the progression and presence of Parkinson’s disease. Slowed movement of the limbs, and eventually the body, also known as bradykinesia, may be a symptom that accompanies the disease. It often makes simple, but necessary tasks, like opening bottles and taking medication, almost impossible . Dragging one’s feet as they walk is also common. Impaired balance and stooped posture is also a symptom of Parkinson’s; these often go unnoticed, or are ignored until symptoms that are more serious occur. A loss of automatic movements, even unconscious ones like blinking and pursing one’s lips may happen, as well. Tremors are perhaps one of the most common and most noticeable symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Typically beginning in a limb, normally a hand or finger, many who are developing the disease complain of their forefinger and thumb rubbing together, commonly known as the “pill-rolling tremor.” Speech changes may also accompany the other symptoms, though they have been found to be less common than other symptoms.
Treatment Options
There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but there are treatment options that allow for control of various symptoms. At times, surgery is advisable, depending on how advanced the disease and the symptoms have become, according to, “New Pharmacological Options for Treating Advanced Parkinson’s Disease.” Simple treatment options, such as aerobic exercise can help with motor function. Physical therapy is also advisable in almost all cases as a treatment option. If speech changes have occurred, speech therapy can be offered as treatment for this symptom, should the patient want to avoid taking too many mediations .
With Parkinson’s disease, however, medication is almost always unavoidable, and there are many to remedy the disease. The most notably effective medication currently prescribed by doctors is called Levodopa. It is a natural chemical that can take that place of dopamine in the brain, which is why it is so effective. Many of the symptoms Parkinson’s exhibit begin because the dying neurons take a substantial amount of dopamine with them. Levodopa, as well as its sister drug, Carbidopa-Levidop, which is administered through a feeding tube, allow the brain to make up for substantial amounts of lost dopamine. Many patients saw a dramatic decrease in symptoms with few side effects compared to other medications. Other medications include MAO-B inhibitors, which try to prevent remaining dopamine in the brain from breaking down, and Amantadine, which is typically only given during early stages of the disease to control unwanted movement .
Neurochemistry
Parkinson’s disease impacts nerve cells in the brain that create and distribute dopamine. As they are damaged, fail, and die, the brain has insufficient dopamine, which causes the body to develop symptoms such as tremors, speech problems, body rigidity, and several other symptoms that can only be controlled through therapy, medication, or surgery.
Psychological Symptoms
Fortunately, psychiatric medication is not one of the many medications that are assigned to Parkinson’s at this time. The side effects of medications are also, fortunately, not psychologial in nature. However, the insufficient dopamine levels that characterize the disease do for many of the typical symptoms to take on a psyhologial effect. For example, shuffling of the feet, changes in speech, and changes in writing sometimes look like psychological changes to the untrained eye. They can appear more serious, in a psychological perspective, when other symptoms, such as tremors or body rigidity, have yet to appear. One must be careful, then, when diagnosing. Based on symtpoms alone, sometimes Parkinson’s disease can be confused with other neurological disorders that have psycholigical symptoms characterized by speech and motor function.
References
Chen, H., Burton, E. A., Ross, G. W., Huang, X., Savica, R., Abbott, R. D., . . . Lawler, C. (2013). Research on the Premotor Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease: Clinical and Etiological Implications. Environmental Health Perspectives, 1245-1252.
Devos, D., Moreau, C., Dujardin, K., Cabantchik, L., Defebvre, L., & Bordet, R. (2013). New Pharmacological Options for Treating Advanced Parkinson’s Disease. Clinical Therapeutics, 1630-1642.
Mardsen, C., & Fahn, S. (2013). Movement Disorders: Neurobiology. Sacramento: Butterworth-Heinemann.
