Parkinson's

Parkinson's disease is named for the English physician, Dr. James Parkinson who described the disease in 1817 as "Shaking Palsy". It was not until the 1960's that the biological and chemical changes in the brain of persons with PD were identified.

Parkinson's disease affects over 2 million people in the United States alone. For every 100,000 people, 20 new cases of PD are diagnosed every year. Most PD cases are in persons over the age of 50. However, there is a significant increase of patients diagnosed in their 30's and 40's. There is also a form of PD that affects persons in their teens.

Researchers have discovered many of the chemical mechanisms in PD, however, the cause of PD remains unknown. One known trigger for PD is sleeping sickness (encephalitis), a viral infection that damages the same area of the nervous system as PD. This is rare, except for cases arising immediately after the world wide epidemic of sleeping sickness between 1918 and 1932. In recent years, many young people have developed PD like symptoms following the use of an illegal drug.

At Clinical Trials, we strive to search out pharma companies developing investigational drugs for diseases like Parkinsons.  For example, we currently are recruiting new patients for this study:  www.advancedparkinsonsstudy.com

The Arkansas Chapter of the APDA has many valuable resources.  Check out their website: http://www.arparkinson.org/index.html

There you will find Support Group Information, Caregiver Help and more.  Since there currently is no cure, your best option is with current treatments to help with the symptoms and Hope Through Research!  Volunteer Today!