Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson's exploration graphic

About Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects the nervous system and parts of the body controlled by nerves. It occurs when nerve cells in the brain, particularly in an area called the substantia nigra, become impaired or die. These neurons produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter essential for coordinating movement. The decline in dopamine levels leads to symptoms such as tremors (which may be barely noticeable at first), muscle stiffness, slowness of movement, and impaired balance and coordination.[1] It is the fastest-growing neurological condition globally.

Parkinson’s disease can include a form of dementia known as Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD). This condition involves a decline in thinking and reasoning skills that occurs in some individuals with Parkinson’s disease. PDD typically develops at least a year after the initial Parkinson’s diagnosis. Symptoms of PDD include memory loss, difficulty with problem-solving, and changes in behavior and mood.

For more detailed information, you can refer to sources such as Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Innovative Parkinson’s Assessment

Parkinson’s disease is notoriously difficult to diagnose in the early stages, because its symptoms mimic those of other conditions. In a primary care setting patients often are given trial doses of medication to see if an improvement in symptoms occurs.

With RapidDx’s Parkinson’s device, this hit-and-miss approach could be avoided. Beyond the quest for a cure, the holy grail of Parkinson’s research is the discovery of biomarkers — detectable and measurable changes in the body that can be used to predict, diagnose, and monitor disease activity and progression.

During a consultation, a doctor can quickly assess the presence of Parkinson’s specific biomarkers. RapidDx identifies the presence of oligomeric α-Syn. Alpha-amylase, heme oxygenase, acetylcholinesterase, and cortisol levels can distinguish Parkinson’s from other neural disorders or even serve as an early diagnostic biomarker.

Facts about
Parkinson’s

10 million people globally have Parkinson's disease
More than 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson's Disease incidence increases with age
The incidence of Parkinson’s disease increases with age
Men are 1.5 times more likely to have Parkinson’s disease than women.
Men are 40% more likely to have Parkinson's disease
map of the world

The prevalence of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease varies by region

The prevalence of Parkinson's in the UK

The prevalence of Parkinson’s in the U.K. doubles in five-year interval between 50 and 69 years

24% increase in Parkinson's disease incidence by 2025

By 2025, population growth and increasingly ageing populations are expected to increase the yearly incidence in the U.K. by around 24%

The prevalence of Parkinson's disease in the US by 2030
There will be 1.2 million people in the U.S. with Parkinson’s disease by 2030
Four percent are diagnose before age 50
An estimated 4% of people with Parkinson’s disease are diagnosed before age 50
Half of the word's PD population is from China
It is estimated that China has over half of the worldwide Parkinson’s disease population. [2]
DNA and environmental hazards such as pesticides than can cause Parkinson's

Parkinson’s is caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors.

Parkinson's brain no longer creating dopamine

Parkinson’s disease occurs when brain cells that make dopamine, a chemical that coordinates movement, stop working or die.

Source: Parkinson’s Foundation and The Michael J. Fox Foundation

[1] ​​Parkinson’s Disease – Symptoms and Causes | www.mayoclinic.org
[2] ​​Burden of Parkinson Disease in China, 1990–2019: Findings from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study | www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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