Essay About Region Of The Brain And National Institute Of Neurological Disorders

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One night while watching television he first noticed it. His hand was trembling. He didnt think
too much about it. He hadnt been ill. Other than the usual slowing down a bit for any man of
seventy-four he was generally good health. Gradually; however, over the next few weeks, both
hands had started a shaking he couldnt control. Also, he wasnt sleeping as well, and felt stiff and
awkward in all of his muscles. Finally, it was the spilling of his coffee all over himself, and tripping
over his own feet that sent him to the doctor for some investigation. His family practice doctor
suspected Parkinsons disease.
Parkinsons disease is usually diagnosed by a neurologist who can evaluate symptoms and their
severity for their is no test that can clearly identify the disease. Parkinsons is a disease of the
central nervous system that primarily occurs in older adults and is slightly more common in men
that in women.
Its cause is usually unknown. What is known is that is results from degeneration of nerve cells or
neurons in region of the brain, the cerebellum, that controls voluntary muscle movement and
posture. This degeneration creates a shortage of the brain signaling chemical or neurotransmitter
known as dopamine. In 1817, a London physician named James Parkinson was the first to publish
a description of this disease; however, it probably existed for many thousands of years. Its
symptoms and potential therapies were a part of Indias system of medicine as early as 5000 B.C. ,
and in the first Chinese medical text appearing 2500 years ago.
Today, in the United States, about a million are believed to be afflicted, with about 50,000 new
cases having been reported every year. As this disorder usually strikes people in their seventies and
eighties, and the average age of the population increases over the next several decades, these figures
are expected to grow significantly.
Today there are many theories about causes of Parkinsons disease. Until recently the prevailing
theory was held that one or more environmental factors, such as toxins that twist the bodys
mechanism for breaking down protein was a cause. Others say that an infection, such as a virus
might alter the bodys normal cell mechanisms that would then lead to the accumulation of debris
that clogs brain cells, eventually becoming severely disabling and ultimately deadly to these cells.
Recently, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke at the National Institute of
Health reported strong evidence of a particular gene on chromosome 4 that can lead to Parkinsons.
This genetic link is where much research is now being done, not only for Parkinsons disease but
additionally for other common brain disorders such as Alzheimers disease.
Microscopically, brain structures called Lewy bodies, which can only be seen during an autopsy,
are classically regarded as the hallmark of Parkinsons disease. Otherwise, this disease is
characterized by tremors of a limb, often beginning on only one side of the body; as well as other
common symptoms. People with Parkinsons show reduced facial expression and speak in a soft
voice. There may be other speech impairments as voice changes and difficulty in swallowing. Often,
bradykinesia or slow movement, akinesia, an inability to move, rigid limbs, a shuffling gait, and a
stooped posture are common. Intellectual ability is unchanged until very advanced stages, which
may increase the incidence of depression and personality changes as the frustrations and limitations
of the afflicted person increases.
When symptoms grow severe doctors classically prescribe levadopa (L-dopa), which helps replace
the brains dopamine. A drug called Selegiline is often prescribed to maintain maximal effectiveness
of the L-dopa. Antis-tremor drugs may be prescribed to reduce muscle rigidity, but they often have
significant side effects including a tolerance level at which time they lose their effectiveness. In some
patients a kind of brain surgery known as thalamotomy has reportedly been effective in reducing
tremors. Another type of brain surgery involving