====== Parkinson's disease ======

Also known as //Parkinson disease//, //Parkinson's//, //idiopathic Parkinsonism//, //primary Parkinsonism//, //PD//, or //paralysis agitans// - is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system resulting from the death of dopamine-containing cells in the //substantia nigra//, a region of the midbrain.

Despite more than a century of intensive scientific research, the cause of the cell-death is unknown.

It results in severe tremors, muscle rigidity and movement difficulties. It currently affects more than 6 million people worldwide.

It's known that there is a strong genetic component involved with the chances of developing the disease. Though it can also be triggered by exposure to toxic chemicals (herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, drugs etc.).  And by brain injuries (in sports etc.).

See [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Causes_of_Parkinson's_disease|Wikipedia]]

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Also see :[[content:medicine:treatments:deep_brain_stimulation]] (treatment), and [[content:medicine:diseases:a-f:essential_tremor]]

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