Parkinson’s Disease
In individuals who develop Parkinson’s disease the nerve cells that produce dopamine in the substantia nigra die off. These nerve cells relay message that control body movements. The other parts of the brain that impact movement and become damaged in people with Parkinson’s include: the striatum, basal ganglia, and cerebellum. The striatum collects information, and along with the substantia nigra, which is located in the midbrain, is responsible for sending impulses from the spinal cord to the brain. The basal ganglia and cerebellum work together so that any movement is carried out seamlessly. In individuals with Parkinson’s the neurotransmitter dopamine levels drop which impacts acetylcholine, another neurotransmitter. …show more content…
Since the areas in the brain that are affected impact movement, symptoms that present are typically tremors, Bradykinesia, and rigidness. Other symptoms that can occur but are not as common include stooped posture, sleep problems, and depressions. At a cellular level, Parkinson’s is caused because neurotransmitters containing dopamine-producing cells are not producing as many cells. This causes an impact in muscle movement and muscle control. Symptoms begin to show after about forty percent of cells are already lost. Sadly, there is no cure for Parkinson’s but there is many medications available to help the symptoms and there is a also a surgical procedure that can be performed. This surgery is called deep brain stimulation (DBS), this procedure sends electrical signals to different areas of the brain that are used for body movement. This is done by placing an electrode in the area of the brain that is causing the symptoms and then putting an extension wire down to a stimulator in the chest under the skin. There is different medications available to slow the progression of the disease, however many of these medications can have side effects that can lead to impulsive behaviors. Drugs such as Elderly and Zelapar help to not lose dopamine by preventing
In individuals who develop Parkinson’s disease the nerve cells that produce dopamine in the substantia nigra die off. These nerve cells relay message that control body movements. The other parts of the brain that impact movement and become damaged in people with Parkinson’s include: the striatum, basal ganglia, and cerebellum. The striatum collects information, and along with the substantia nigra, which is located in the midbrain, is responsible for sending impulses from the spinal cord to the brain. The basal ganglia and cerebellum work together so that any movement is carried out seamlessly. In individuals with Parkinson’s the neurotransmitter dopamine levels drop which impacts acetylcholine, another neurotransmitter. …show more content…
Since the areas in the brain that are affected impact movement, symptoms that present are typically tremors, Bradykinesia, and rigidness. Other symptoms that can occur but are not as common include stooped posture, sleep problems, and depressions. At a cellular level, Parkinson’s is caused because neurotransmitters containing dopamine-producing cells are not producing as many cells. This causes an impact in muscle movement and muscle control. Symptoms begin to show after about forty percent of cells are already lost. Sadly, there is no cure for Parkinson’s but there is many medications available to help the symptoms and there is a also a surgical procedure that can be performed. This surgery is called deep brain stimulation (DBS), this procedure sends electrical signals to different areas of the brain that are used for body movement. This is done by placing an electrode in the area of the brain that is causing the symptoms and then putting an extension wire down to a stimulator in the chest under the skin. There is different medications available to slow the progression of the disease, however many of these medications can have side effects that can lead to impulsive behaviors. Drugs such as Elderly and Zelapar help to not lose dopamine by preventing