Parkinson's Overview

The earliest sign of Parkinson's disease can be as subtle as an arm that doesn't swing when you walk, or soft, "mumbly" speech that's difficult to understand. You may lack pep, or perhaps it just takes you longer to shower, shave, eat or do other routine tasks. Parkinson's disease is the most common form of Parkinsonism, a group of disorders that are the result of the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. Parkinson's disease is also …

…of Parkinson's patients probably inherited their condition. It's still not clear how common the Italian gene might be, or if more genes are involved in Parkinson's, but scientists now feel their genetic map will ultimately lead them to far more effective treatments and possibly a cure. The ultimate discovery of a gene means hope of a treatment for this brain disease that afflicts as many as 1.5 million Americans, leaving them with tremors, or even immobilized.