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__**Background Information About Parkinson's Disease:**__ Parkinson’s disease was first observed and categorized by English physician Dr. James Parkinson in the early 1800’s. He wrote his observations in an essay titled “Essay on the Shaking Palsy" (1). Although Dr. Parkinson was the first to medically categorize the conditions of the disease, references to the symptoms of the disease can be found throughout history from ancient Rome, China, and India. These references describe the shaking symptoms and the treatment of these symptoms with plants containing L-dopa, which is a common day chemical used for treatment of the disease (3).



Parkinson’s disease affects the elderly with most patients being over the age of fifty. It affects men about two times more than women. It is rarely found in children (2). The development of Parkinson’s disease is caused by the random cell death of cells in the brain responsible for producing dopamine. The result of less dopamine in the brain is the loss of motor functions and eventually cognitive ability (8). Early signs of Parkinson’s disease are tremors or stiffness and decreased posture. Over time this disease can lead to problems walking, eating, and mental instability such as dementia and depression. In severe cases patients may even suffer falls weekly (8).

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