World Parkinson's Disease Day - April 11

Parkinson's is a disease in which nerve cells that deliver the neurotransmitter dopamine to other cells are reduced in numbers. As cell death spreads to ever larger parts of the brain more centers are affected. This results in an aggravation of motor and non motor disorders.

Following a reduction in dopamine levels there are many non motor symptoms which can precede the onset of motor Parkinson's disease for many years.

Non Motor Symptoms Include:

• REM sleep behavioral disorder
• Reduced sense of smell
• Automatic dysfunction
• Depression
• Impaired Vision
• Attention Deficit
• Difficulties planning and carrying out ordinary tasks

The motor symptoms of Parkinson's are based around involuntary movements or rigidity (in which muscles of the body 'freeze up' and do not work). The impact of these motor symptoms in the day to day life of a person with Parkinson's are immense; this awareness event aims in part, to make more people understand the severity of these symptoms.

For example, a person may not be able to perform a simple activity like crossing the road in case their 'feet freeze' making them unable to walk. When shopping, they may be unable to take money out from a purse or wallet to pay for items due to involuntary arm and hand movements.

Symptoms are unpredictable and can vary on a time scale as short as one minute.

Many people who have heard of Parkinson' disease associate this condition with the physical symptoms of tremor or rigidity. These symptoms may be shown as head bobbing or other sudden involuntary jerking movements. World Parkinson's Day aims to make more people aware of the non motor symptoms.