Facts about Parkinson’s Disease
Approximately one million people in the U.S. and six million people worldwide have Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Researchers project that the number of people with Parkinson’s Disease will double by 2040.
The cause of the disease is unknown but believed to be a combination of genetics, environment, aging, and possible head injury.
Parkinson’s Disease is a condition whereby the brain cells that make dopamine, a chemical that coordinates movement, stop working or die.
In 2023 Parkinson’s research had a major breakthrough in the pursuit of a biomarker for Parkinson’s. A test can now detect the “Parkinson’s protein” in the brain.
Update! On May 23, 2024 Congress passed The National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act. The bill will become law after President Biden's signature. Read more.
Parkinson’s Links:
- The Michael J. Fox Foundation
- Controversial Herbicide gets EPA Approval
- Parkinson’s Connection to Paraquat Weedkiller
- Discovery of Parkinson’s Biomarker
- Stanford’s Parkinson’s Community Outreach (list of support groups)
Local Parkinson’s Groups
- Parkinson’s Network of Mt. Diablo
- Rossmoor Fitness Center Parkinson's Class - email fitnessmanager@rossmoor.com for class information. Article here.
- Diablo Ballet Adaptive Dance for Parkinson’s
- Meals on Wheels Matter of Balance Class for PD
Pickleball and Parkinson’s
- Pickleball, Parkinson’s and Persistence
- How Pickleball Helps Parkinson’s Sufferers
- For those with Parkinson's pickleball can be an ideal sport
