The following is an excerpt....
BASICS
Description
- Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta.
- Cardinal symptoms include resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and gait dysfunction.
- Diagnosis is based primarily on history and examination.
Epidemiology
Incidence
- Average age of onset around 60 years
- Slightly more common in males vs females
Prevalence
- Second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's disease
- 0.3% of general population and 1–2% of those 60 years and older (prevalence increases with age)
- Affects 1 million people in the US
Risk Factors
- Age is the greatest risk factor.
- History of smoking may reduce risk
- Weak association with exposure to toxins (herbicides and insecticides); however, relationship is not clear ...
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