Parkinson's disease is an age-related
degenerative disorder of the
human brain. It rarely arises before the age of 40, but afflicts more than 1% of people over 60 and 4% of people over 80. The most obvious symptoms are
movement-related, including
shaking,
rigidity,
slowness of movement and difficulty with walking
gait.
Cognitive, sensory, sleep and emotional problems may also occur, especially in the later stages. The most noticeable symptoms are brought about by the death of brain cells that produce the chemical
dopamine. Some cases are caused by genetic factors, but for most cases the causes are not known. Diagnosis is based on assessment of symptoms. In spite of extensive scientific research, no cure has yet been found. Modern treatments are effective at managing the early motor symptoms of the disease, mainly through the use of
levodopa and
dopamine agonists. In the later stages, however, these treatments gradually lose their effectiveness. The disease is named after British apothecary
James Parkinson, and his birthday, April 11, has been designated Parkinson's Disease Day. (more...)
1996 – Seven-year-old Jessica Dubroff was killed in a plane crash in
Cheyenne,
Wyoming, while attempting to set a record as the youngest person to pilot an airplane across the
United States.
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