No Answers Yet on Parkinson's

April 2, 2005 -- -- Parkinson's disease, a progressive disorder of the central nervous system, affects about 1.5 million men and women in the United States. Its victims are usually more than 50 years old, but can be as young as 30. Parkinson's is not contagious.

It had long been believed that Pope John Paul II suffered from Parkinson's, but the Vatican did not confirm it until 2003, when the pontiff was 83 years old.

The disorder was first described as "Shaking Palsy" in 1817 by an English physician, Dr. James Parkinson. The most common symptoms of this disease are trembling hands and legs, difficulty with moving quickly, stiff limbs and walking in shuffling manner. Parkinson's can also cause depression, personality changes, dementia, and sleep and speech problems.

While experts agree that the symptoms of Parkinson's are caused by the death of cells in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra, it is not known exactly why the death occurs. Scientists believe a combination of genetics and environmental factors work together to trigger the degeneration of these brain cells. The loss of substantia nigra cells results in abnormally low levels of a brain chemical called dopamine, which plays a critical role in coordinating body movements.

Today, patients are most often treated with a dopamine-converting drug called levadopa, which unfortunately doesn't prevent the progressive brain changes typical of Parkinson's. New drugs to treat the disease, however, have recently been approved and others are under investigation.

Apart from medication, regular exercise and/or physical therapy help maintain and improve mobility, flexibility, balance and a range of motion in Parkinson's patients. In the later stages of disease, brain surgery is sometimes used to help manage the debilitating side effects of the DOPA drugs.

There is some evidence the disease advances more slowly in people who remain involved in their pre-diagnosis activities or who find new activities to engage their interest and keep them involved in and excited about life.

Famous people with Parkinson's disease include boxing legend Muhammad Ali, actor Michael J. Fox and former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno.

Scientists say research using stem cells taken from human embryos might provide more insight into Parkinson's and perhaps lead to more effective treatments, but the stem-cell research remains very controversial. There is currently no cure for Parkinson's disease, and no way to prevent it.