Parkinson's disease is a degenerative neurological disease that affects approximately one million persons in the United States. It primarily impacts the specific part of the brain that controls movement called the substantia nigra. This degeneration creates a shortage of the brain-signaling chemical (neurotransmitter) known as dopamine, causing impaired movement. Symptoms of Parkinson's disease include trembling (tremor), stooped posture, muscular stiffness (rigidity), short shuffling steps, speaking softly in a rapid tone, poor balance, poor handwriting, and slowness of body movements (bradykinesia). The cause of Parkinson's disease is not yet known although there may be a genetic link. Some researchers believe it may result from toxins, head trauma or stroke. Presently there is no cure for Parkinson's disease but available medications control the slow decline in function and manage symptoms quite effectively.
             Parkinson's disease is usually diagnosed in people in the prime of their life. Unfortunately, this also usually means that Parkinson's strikes during the peak of the individual's career. Parkinson's involves the gradual death of cells in the substantia nigra. In the early stages, a very large percentage of the cells die before the deficiency of dopamine becomes severe enough to cause trouble and causes the remaining functional cells to work overtime. Many times, consequences of aging present themselves much like the symptoms of Parkinson's. There is no specific examination that provides a definitive diagnosis such as a chemical test or a x-ray study. Therefore, the physician's examination includes tests of sensation, movement, and balance, which probe for signs of damage to the nervous system.
             To understand Parkinson's it is helpful to understand what happens in a normal, healthy body. Normally, a voluntary movement is initiated by the cerebral cortex. The nerv...