What is Parkinson's?
Parkinson's is a progressive neurological condition. This means that it causes problems in the brain and gets worse over time.
The number of people diagnosed with Parkinson's in the UK is about 145,000. But we know that more than 1 million people in the UK are affected, either by living with Parkinson’s, or as a friend, colleague, or family member of someone who is.
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About Parkinson's
People with Parkinson's don't have enough of the chemical dopamine because some of the nerve cells that make it have died.
There are lots of different treatments, therapies and support available to help manage the condition.
Our researchers are working hard to develop new and better treatments - and one day a cure.
Watch our short video to find out more about Parkinson's.
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3 things we know about Parkinson's
Parkinson's develops when cells in the brain stop working properly and are lost over time. These brain cells produce a chemical called dopamine.
Symptoms start to appear when the brain can’t make enough dopamine to control movement properly.
There are 3 main symptoms - tremor (shaking), slowness of movement and rigidity (muscle stiffness) - but there are many other symptoms too.
Types of Parkinson's
Parkinsonism is a term that covers several conditions, including Parkinson’s and others with similar symptoms.
Parkinson's symptoms
The 3 main symptoms of Parkinson's are tremor, stiffness and slowness of movement. But you may also experience other symptoms including problems with sleep and memory and mental health issues.
If you or one of your relatives has Parkinson’s, you may want to know if the condition can be passed down through families.
James Parkinson is most famous for publishing 'An Essay on the Shaking Palsy' in 1817, which established Parkinson's as a recognised medical condition.