What is Parkinson's Disease?

Parkinson's disease is caused by changes in nerve cells in specific parts of the brain.  This causes chemical changes that result in a specific kind of tremor, or shaking, of parts of the body.  Person's with Parkinson's disease often have weakness in the central parts of the body, and may have slowed thoughts.

Although the disease can be disabling, it is usually progresses slowly.  Current treatments can often improve symptoms of the illness and make life livable for the person with Parkinson's disease for many years.

For more information about Parkinson's disease:

The Parkinson's Web is a site with links to many other information and organization resources.

The National Parkinson Foundation is an advocacy organization that provides information about the disease for patients and their families. It often has up-to-date information on current research about the causes and treatments of Parkinson's disease.