Parkinson's brain

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the nervous system, causing a decline in dopamine-producing neurons. Key symptoms are motor-related, including tremors, stiffness (rigidity), slowness of movement (bradykinesia) and problems with balance and coordination. It is a progressive condition with no known cure, but treatments like medication, supportive therapies and sometimes surgery can help manage symptoms. The findings in the brain include the degeneration of neurons in the substantia nigra, leading to a significant loss of dopamine-producing cells. This causes a chemical imbalance that impairs the brain's ability to control movement, resulting in characteristic symptoms like tremors, stiffness, and slowness of movement. Other findings can include the loss of norepinephrine and the accumulation of alpha-synuclein protein in Lewy bodies, along with non-motor symptoms like cognitive decline and mood disorders.