​Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder caused by the destruction of dopaminergic nerves in the substantia nigra, which is located in the center of the brainstem. Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter that acts on the basal ganglia of the brain, allowing us to move our bodies in precise ways as we wish.

Parkinson's disease is a very common degenerative disorder that affects more than 1% of people over the age of 60 and increases with age, and only 5-10% of cases are inherited. There is currently no approved drug to treat the cause, and the medications currently prescribed are aimed at relieving symptoms by replenishing the dopamine that is lost as cells die.