An Examination of Parkinson's Disease and Its Effects
Amanda Ingersoll
Mrs. Scanavino
BIO 209-S9
19 Mar. 2012
An Examination of Parkinson’s Disease and its Effects
Through the study of anatomy and physiology, physicians have learned that Parkinson’s disease can be developed many ways, include many symptoms leading to diagnosis and although incurable can be treated and managed. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes, Parkinson’s is a disease related to the loss or underactive production of dopamine producing brain cells. The loss of these brain cells produce symptoms that can affect the body as a whole, causing difficulties for individuals who possess the disease to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It has been discovered that Parkinson’s has been prevalent within society since the physician Galen termed it as the “shaking palsy” in 175 AD (Parkinson’s).
Although Galen was the first physician accredited with Parkinson’s disease by observing individuals with the “shakes” it was not until 1817 that the disease was introduced to the world (Parkinson’s). James Parkinson published a medical essay regarding the disease known as An Essay on the Shaking Palsy, based on six cases he had observed within his own practice. The essay’s main purpose when published was to raise awareness so that the disease could be recognized as a medical condition and research be established in order to treat the disease (Parkinson’s). The result of this essay led French neurologist Jean Martin Charcot to examine the disease thoroughly. After recognizing the importance of the disease, Charcot named the disease Parkinson’s disease in honor of predecessor James Parkinson (Parkinson’s).
Even though much about Parkinson’s was still unknown, through capacious research an adequate amount of information related to the disease was attained. However, it wasn’t until 1960 that the chemical differences in patients brains were identified (Parkinson’s). Once the chemical differences were established, physicians found that
Mrs. Scanavino
BIO 209-S9
19 Mar. 2012
An Examination of Parkinson’s Disease and its Effects
Through the study of anatomy and physiology, physicians have learned that Parkinson’s disease can be developed many ways, include many symptoms leading to diagnosis and although incurable can be treated and managed. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes, Parkinson’s is a disease related to the loss or underactive production of dopamine producing brain cells. The loss of these brain cells produce symptoms that can affect the body as a whole, causing difficulties for individuals who possess the disease to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It has been discovered that Parkinson’s has been prevalent within society since the physician Galen termed it as the “shaking palsy” in 175 AD (Parkinson’s).
Although Galen was the first physician accredited with Parkinson’s disease by observing individuals with the “shakes” it was not until 1817 that the disease was introduced to the world (Parkinson’s). James Parkinson published a medical essay regarding the disease known as An Essay on the Shaking Palsy, based on six cases he had observed within his own practice. The essay’s main purpose when published was to raise awareness so that the disease could be recognized as a medical condition and research be established in order to treat the disease (Parkinson’s). The result of this essay led French neurologist Jean Martin Charcot to examine the disease thoroughly. After recognizing the importance of the disease, Charcot named the disease Parkinson’s disease in honor of predecessor James Parkinson (Parkinson’s).
Even though much about Parkinson’s was still unknown, through capacious research an adequate amount of information related to the disease was attained. However, it wasn’t until 1960 that the chemical differences in patients brains were identified (Parkinson’s). Once the chemical differences were established, physicians found that
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