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Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive disorder of the central nervous system that affects over one million Americans. In PD, certain brain cells deteriorate for reasons not yet known. These cells produce a substance called dopamine, which helps control muscle activity.
Parkinson's Disease is often characterized by tremors, stiffness in the limbs and joints, speech difficulties, and difficulty initiating physical movement. Late in the course of the disease, some patients develop dementia and eventually, Alzheimer's disease. Conversely, some Alzheimer's patients develop symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
Medications such as levodopa, which converts to dopamine inside the brain, and deprenyl, which prevents degeneration of dopamine-containing brain cells, are used to improve diminished or reduced motor symptoms in PD patients. However, these medications do not correct the mental changes that occur as a result of the disease.
