Parkinson Disease

As ‘shaking palsy’, Parkinson Disease [PD] was recognized even in biblical times. In 1817, Dr James Parkinson published a classic description of the disease and established it as a clinical entity. It is a slowly progressive degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, affecting certain cells at the base of the brain.

Once established the symptoms may be mild, but they can increase gradually over the years, although there may be a period of time when they seem to remain static. Intelligence is not affected, and life expectancy is normal. Parkinson’s disease occurs in all parts of the world, but in developed countries, where people live longer, the condition is more common as it most often strikes in later life.