Ziekte van Parkinson I: Inleiding

Parkinson disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that mainly affects movement.

The disease develops as dopamine-producing neurons in the pars compacta of the substantia nigra gradually degenerate and die.

This dopamine loss disrupts signaling in the motor circuit of the basal ganglia, causing motor features such as resting tremor, muscle rigidity, bradykinesia, or slowness of movement, and eventual postural instability.

Parkinson disease is also characterized by the accumulation of misfolded alpha-synuclein in structures called Lewy bodies within affected neurons, a pathological hallmark of the disease.

The exact cause is unknown, but it likely involves genetic and environmental factors.

Certain genetic mutations, such as those in the LRRK2, PINK1, DJ-1, PRKN, SNCA, and GBA genes, have been linked to inherited and early-onset Parkinson disease.

Risk for Parkinson disease increases with age, especially after 60. Being male or having a family history also raises the risk.