Parkinson's disease is a brain disorder which occurs when certain nerve cells in the brain die or become impaired. Normally, these cells produce a vital chemical known as dopamine. Dopamine allows for smooth, coordinated function of the body's muscles and movement.  When approximately 80 percent of the dopamine-producing cells are damaged, the symptoms of Parkinson's disease appear.

The loss of dopamine production in the brain causes the primary symptoms of Parkinson's disease. The disease is characterized by four features:

Parkinson's disease affects both men and women in almost equal numbers. According to the National Parkinson Foundation an estimated 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States, in addition to the 1.5 million Americans who currently have Parkinson's disease.  While the condition usually develops after the age of 65, 15 percent of those diagnosed are under 50.

For more information, contact:

Michigan Parkinson Foundation
30400 Telegraph Roas
Suite 150
Bingham Farms, MI 48025
800-852-9781