K to 6th 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 inside your brain there are many cells and chemicals that help to control the way that we move. These cells produce dopamine, which is very important for controlling how we move. People who have Parkinson's disease do not have as much dopamine in their brains as people who do not have Parkinson's disease. This is why people with this disease are often slower, lose their balance easily, seem to shake a lot, and are very stiff.

2. How do you get Parkinson's disease?

Scientists are doing a lot of research to try to find out why people get Parkinson's disease. They do not know completely, but they do know that low levels of dopamine cause the disease. However, Parkinson's disease is not contagious. This means you cannot get Parkinson's simply by being near a person who has the disease.

3. How do you treat Parkinson's disease?

Right now, scientists are searching for a cure for Parkinson's disease, but they do not have one yet. They have discovered a lot, though. They know how to relieve some of the symptoms. People who have it can take medicine, go through therapy, and even have surgery to help them with their disease.