The Genetic Cause Of Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive chronic disease that affects the nervous system. The disease begins with small changes that might go unnoticed, such as a tiny tremor. However over time, the disease will progress to the point that the affected person is completely unable to control movement in any normal way. Currently, almost one million people in the United States are affected by this disorder (Parkinson’s Disease Foundation). However the cause is yet to be discovered and there is presently no cure for this devastating disease.
2. pathogenesis
Overall pathogenesis The underlying pathological cause in Parkinson’s disease is injury or death to the dopamine producing cells located in the substantia nigra pars compacta to the caudate …show more content…
However, environmental exposures can also account for a familial pattern in these patients (Samii et al.). While this genetic predisposition is not fully understood, the identification of particular gene mutations that lead to the select cases with genetic cause is an important area of research for the disease as the genetic forms can be studied in great detail in scientific setting, and may ultimately provide a greater understanding for the common forms of the disease (Parkinson’s Disease …show more content…
Although many of these symptoms may be unobvious to others, they can potentially be more debilitating than motor impairments. There are several non motor symptoms that often appear years before motor symptoms in Parkinson’s patients. These early symptoms include: loss of sense of smell, constipation, REM behavior disorder, mood disorders and orthostatic hypotension (Parkinson’s Disease Foundation). However, because diagnosis is made using the criteria of motor symptoms, these symptoms can go undiagnosed until motor symptoms present. Additional nonmotor symptoms include: sleep disturbance, bladder problems, sexual problems, excessive saliva, weight loss or gain, vision problems, dental problems, cognitive difficulties, visuospatial difficulties, executive dysfunction, depression and anxiety. (Parkinson’s Disease
2. pathogenesis
Overall pathogenesis The underlying pathological cause in Parkinson’s disease is injury or death to the dopamine producing cells located in the substantia nigra pars compacta to the caudate …show more content…
However, environmental exposures can also account for a familial pattern in these patients (Samii et al.). While this genetic predisposition is not fully understood, the identification of particular gene mutations that lead to the select cases with genetic cause is an important area of research for the disease as the genetic forms can be studied in great detail in scientific setting, and may ultimately provide a greater understanding for the common forms of the disease (Parkinson’s Disease …show more content…
Although many of these symptoms may be unobvious to others, they can potentially be more debilitating than motor impairments. There are several non motor symptoms that often appear years before motor symptoms in Parkinson’s patients. These early symptoms include: loss of sense of smell, constipation, REM behavior disorder, mood disorders and orthostatic hypotension (Parkinson’s Disease Foundation). However, because diagnosis is made using the criteria of motor symptoms, these symptoms can go undiagnosed until motor symptoms present. Additional nonmotor symptoms include: sleep disturbance, bladder problems, sexual problems, excessive saliva, weight loss or gain, vision problems, dental problems, cognitive difficulties, visuospatial difficulties, executive dysfunction, depression and anxiety. (Parkinson’s Disease