History of Parkinson's disease

History of Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) (/ˈpɑːr.kɪn.sən/), also known as paralysis agitans or shaking palsy, is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects predominately dopamine-producing neurons in a specific area of the brain called substantia nigra. The term "Parkinson's disease" was coined in 1817 by Dr. James Parkinson, a London physician who published a paper on what he called "the shaking palsy" or "paralysis agitans".

Etymology

The term "Parkinson's disease" is named after Dr. James Parkinson, who first described the condition in his 1817 work, "An Essay on the Shaking Palsy". The term "paralysis agitans" is derived from Latin, meaning "shaking palsy".

Early History

The earliest known descriptions of Parkinson's disease can be traced back to ancient Indian medical texts, where it was referred to as "Kampavata". In Western medicine, the disease was not formally recognized until the 19th century when Dr. James Parkinson published his essay.

19th Century

In 1817, Dr. James Parkinson published "An Essay on the Shaking Palsy", which described the symptoms of the disease. This work laid the foundation for the later naming of the disease after him.

20th Century

In the 20th century, significant advancements were made in understanding the pathology of Parkinson's disease. In 1912, Frederic Lewy identified the presence of Lewy bodies in the brains of individuals with Parkinson's disease. In the 1960s, the role of dopamine in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease was discovered, leading to the development of levodopa, the first effective treatment for the disease.

21st Century

In the 21st century, research into Parkinson's disease has focused on understanding the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the disease, as well as developing new treatments and strategies for managing symptoms.

Related Terms

• Neurodegenerative disorders
• Dopamine
• Substantia nigra
• Lewy bodies
• Levodopa

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on History of Parkinson's disease
• Wikipedia's article - History of Parkinson's disease

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