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Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive neurological disorder, which is characterised by damage to an area of the brain called the substantia nigra. This area influences all voluntary movements. Nobody truly understands what causes this damage, and no cure has yet been found for the disease, but the symptoms can be controlled using a combination of drugs, therapies and occasionally surgery.

The disease was first described in 1817 by Dr James Parkinson. He wrote his ‘Essay on the Shaking Palsy’ based on his observations of certain people who passed by his window each day, and using data from his own patients. At that time the disease was referred to as ‘Paralysis Agitans’, which literally means ‘the shaking paralysis’. Years later, Charcot, a famous French physician, named it after Dr Parkinson. Dr Parkinson’s early description of the disease remains remarkably accurate today:

“Involuntary tremulous motion, with lessened muscular power, in parts not in action and even when supported; with a propensity to bend the trunk forward, and to pass from a walking to a running pace: the senses and intellect being uninjured”

Where Dr Parkinson got it wrong was in believing that the effects of the disease were purely physical. In fact, it can slow the mind and impair the memory in some cases. Its more obvious signs are that it causes people to move slowly, their limbs feel stiff and they notice a tremor, or trembling, especially when relaxing. Also they may feel their posture is bent or a little unbalanced.

It must be stressed that every person with Parkinson’s disease reacts differently and not everyone will necessarily experience all the possible symptoms. For example, some people may initially only notice a tremor affecting one arm or leg. Where this is the case, it is likely that the disease will get worse over time and more of the symptoms will become noticeable. However, this will take place over years rather than months, and there are medicines to help maintain a good quality of life.

New medicines and techniques are constantly being developed as researchers all over the world continue to look for the causes of the disease and search for a cure. The outlook for people with Parkinson’s disease is much brighter today than it was 40 years ago - now modern medicine offers realistic hope that the symptoms of the disease can be controlled.