Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is a brain condition that occurs when dopamine-producing brain cells die. Dopamine helps to control movement, mood, sleep, and other actions, so shortages can lead to symptoms including tremors, involuntary movements, trouble sleeping, and mental health disorders. Many people with Parkinson's also develop dementia.

Parkinson's is named for British physician James Parkinson, who first described the condition in 1817 in his “Essay on the Shaking Palsy.” The disease occurs 1.5 times more frequently among men, and is on the rise globally. It was the ninth leading cause of death for US adults age 65 and older in 2024. Scientists have not yet pinpointed its causes, but exposure to air and noise pollution, pesticides, and a family history of the disease have been linked to elevated risk. The exact driver for brain cell death is unclear, but the disease is associated with a buildup of the alpha-synuclein protein in the brain and faulty mitochondria. There is no cure for Parkinson's, but medications that boost dopamine levels in the brain and deep brain stimulation to reduce tremors are common treatments.

Estimates suggest 1.1 million people have Parkinson's in the US, with 90,000 new cases diagnosed annually. The total US costs of the disease were an estimated $82.2B in 2024. Most people who develop the disease in the US are covered by Medicare or Medicaid.