6th to 8th Grade

1. What is Parkinson's disease?

Parkinson's disease is a disorder of the central nervous system. Your central nervous system is made up of your brain and your spinal cord. It is responsible for controlling everything you do.

Deep within the brain, there are many nerve cells and chemicals called neurotransmitters that communicate with each other to control and coordinate our movements. Our brain produces one type of neurotransmitter called dopamine. Dopamine sends messages from one nerve to another in order to make movements more accurate, smooth and controlled. People who have Parkinson's disease have a limited amount of dopamine in their brain and messages are not sent normally. This means that those with the disease may move slower, loose their balance easily, shake, or seem very stiff.

2. What is the cause of Parkinson's disease?

Currently, scientists are performing research to try and determine the cause of Parkinson's disease. They know that low levels of dopamine cause the disease but they do not know why the brain produces such low amounts. Although the cause is unclear, scientists know that Parkinson's disease is not contagious.

3. What are the treatments for Parkinson's disease?

Presently, scientists are searching for a cure for Parkinson's disease, but none has been found yet. They have, however, discovered some treatments to help relieve the symptoms of the disease. Those affected by Parkinson's can take certain medications, go through therapy, or have surgery if recommended to do so by a doctor.