Former NFL quarterback Brett Favre joins a list of celebrities, like Michael J. Fox and Muhammad Ali, who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. It’s a common but complex neurodegenerative disorder that affects 10 million people worldwide and primarily impacts movement.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) occurs when nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine—a neurotransmitter responsible for many important body functions, including movement—begins to deteriorate. As a result, people with the disease can experience various motor and non-motor symptoms that progress over time.
No two patients with PD are the same. Disease progression varies greatly between individuals, but in most cases, symptoms change slowly. With advancements in treatment, lifestyle changes, and ongoing research, many people with Parkinson's can manage their symptoms and maintain a good quality of life for years to come.
Here are some key facts to know about PD:
1. Parkinson’s disease impacts motor symptoms
While Parkinson’s can cause a wide-range of symptoms, four symptoms are critical in making a diagnosis:
- Slowed movement: Difficulty moving or performing tasks that require physical agility
- Tremors: Trembling or slight shaking in the hands, arms, legs, chin, or head
- Muscle stiffness: Rigidity in the arms, legs, or torso
- Difficulty with gait or poor balance and coordination: Challenges with walking and coordination often resulting in a shuffling walk or causing falls
“Of these key motor symptoms, slowness of movement must be present to make a clinical diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease,” says Guillaume Lamotte, MD, a movement disorders specialist and assistant professor in the Department of Neurology at University of Utah Health.
However, many non-motor signs of PD may be present before diagnosis:
- Loss of sense of smell
- Acting out in a dream (dream enactment behavior) where a person kicks, yells, fights, and moves around in their sleep
- Low blood pressure, specifically when a person stands up
- Constipation
- Bladder control issues
In the absence of abnormal movements, these non-motor symptoms may indicate an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s. However, they are not sufficient for a diagnosis of PD.
2. Men 60 and older are most at risk
Age is the most significant risk factor in PD, primary affecting people over the age of 60.
While most patients are diagnosed in their later years, a form of the disease known as young-onset Parkinson's disease (YOPD) can affect individuals younger than age 50. About 4% of the roughly 1 million people living with Parkinson’s in the U.S. develop YOPD. People diagnosed with YOPD may have a family history of PD.
“The older you get, the higher the prevalence of Parkinson’s,” Lamotte says. “That suggests that mechanisms driving the aging process promote the accelerated death of the neurons seen in Parkinson’s disease."
3. The cause of Parkinson’s Disease is unknown
While there is no one specific cause of PD, research shows possible reasons:
- Aging. The aging process may contribute to accelerated dying of dopamine neurons that are linked to PD.
- Genetics. Certain gene mutations increase the risk of developing the disease. Recent research suggests that 13% of people with Parkinson’s disease have a genetic variant increasing their risk of developing the disease.
- Family history. Even if you don’t find a gene mutation, a family history of PD can increase the risk. However, there is no guarantee that children of people living with PD will develop the disease.
- Environmental factors. Exposure to pesticides, repeated concussions, a sedentary lifestyle, and possibly air pollution exposure can increase the risk of PD. Research continues into how these external factors may contribute to the disease's onset and progression.
4. Many treatments are available
While PD has no cure, many treatments are available to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Medications like Levodopa can help restore dopamine levels and reduce motor symptoms, while other drugs can address non-motor symptoms. Additionally, physical therapy and regular exercise are strongly encouraged, as they have been shown to slow disease progression and improve overall health.
5. Parkinson's disease is rising in the U.S.
The prevalence of PD is rising and is expected to increase in the coming decades. A study published in 2022 found that PD among older adults is 50% higher than current estimates of 60,000 adults being diagnosed yearly. The reasons for this are not entirely clear.
“It could be that we are better at diagnosis or that there is more awareness in the community,” Lamotte says. “Exposure to environmental factors is also likely playing an important role.”
6. Early diagnosis is critical
For anyone experiencing symptoms of PD, such as tremors or difficulty with movement, it’s important to mention this to your doctor.
Early diagnosis and intervention can improve quality of life and help tailor treatments to individual needs. Finding the right treatment plan will help improve the quality of life of the person living with PD.
