Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition which has a devasting impact on those affected and their family and friends. It is caused by the death of nerve cells in the brain which produce a chemical messenger called dopamine, with loss of this chemical resulting in many debilitating symptoms.
Parkinson’s is a prevalent disease that affects millions of people worldwide, with 1 in every 37 people diagnosed at some point in their lifetime. The likelihood of developing Parkinson’s increases with age; thus, with an increasingly ageing population, a greater percentage of the population is predicted to develop Parkinson’s disease. This makes it critical to understand and develop treatments for this devasting disease.
SYMPTOMS
The most commonly known symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are the motor symptoms. These occur because the brain isn’t making enough dopamine to properly control movements. Symptoms include:
· Shaking (tremor)
· Slowness of movement (bradykinesia)
· Muscle stiffness (rigidity)
However, people with Parkinson’s often experience many lesser known non-motor and psychiatric symptoms, including:
· Depression and anxiety
· Hallucinations
· Pain
· Difficulty sleeping
These symptoms fluctuate throughout the day in an often unpredictable rhythm which makes maintaining independence in everyday life a challenge.
TREATMENTS
Although there is currently no cure for Parkinson's disease, treatments do exist to try to minimise these symptoms. For example, a daily routine of gentle exercise and stretching can help alleviate some muscle stiffness and improve balance and instability. There are also many different medications that can be taken to help manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s. These drugs work through different mechanisms to try to replace the depleted levels of dopamine in the brain.
However, there are challenges to ensure the correct timings and dosages of these medications to provide constant relief without unwanted side-effects. When patients are on medication, they can get periods of rapid involuntary movements (dyskinesia) when there is too much dopamine available. Then, as medication begins to wear off and dopamine levels fall, the motor symptoms of tremors and bradykinesia will set in again. This leads to many patients experiencing dips and peaks in motor symptoms, as well as causing other unwanted side effects such as gambling, inappropriate public behaviours, or even delusions. However, with effective dosing scheduling, a balance can be achieved to minimise these side effects while maintaining relief from motor symptoms.
HOPE FOR NEW TREATMENTS
Research into new therapeutics for Parkinson's disease is constantly ongoing and there is hope for future treatments. Researchers are investigating therapies aimed at restoring the normal dopamine-producing nerve cells in the brain so that dopamine is produced at physiological levels. In this way they hope to avoid the dips and peaks of motor symptoms and prevent the unwanted side effects that are caused by the current medications.
One line of research explores the use of naturally occurring substances called growth factors to rescue or regrow the damaged cells, while another line aims to entirely replace these cells with new, undamaged nerve cells. However, more clinical trials with Parkinson’s disease patients are required to ensure the safety and efficiency of these potential therapies.
Despite the challenges, many individuals with Parkinson's display remarkable resilience. Connecting with support groups and organizations dedicated to Parkinson's can offer a sense of belonging and empowerment. Raising awareness of the struggles of living with Parkinson’s disease is important so that support and understanding can be offered to those who need it.
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