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Example research essay topic: Parkinsons Disease Nerve Cells - 2,155 words

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History of Parkinson's Disease Parkinsons Disease (PD) was first described and named after by an English physician named James Parkinson in 1817. This disease is a disorder of the central nervous system and effects one to one-and-a half million Americans. For reasons not understood completely, nerve cells that produce dopamine (the substantia nigra) decrease in number with Parkinsons disease. As a result, there is a decrease in the quantities of available dopamine.

In PD, there is a lack of dopamine and not enough to keep balance with the acetylcholine (web 2000). Because of this, a lack of coordination in movement occurs and often appears as tremors. Before going in deeper about Parkinsons disease, it is essential to understand how human brain controls ones movement. Usually, a person never thinks about how the body moves.

When he walks, the brain must gather all information needed about your bodys position. The information joins in the central area of the brain, which is the striatum, that controls numerous aspects of body motion. The striatum works with different sections of the brain, including the substantia nigra, to send commands for balance and coordination (web 1999). These commands travel from the brain to the spinal cord through nerve networks to muscles that help a person move. Your nervous system is made up of nerve cells, which serve as communication networks in your body.

They use neurotransmitters to communicate. Neurotransmitters carry messages between nerve cells when they cross the synapse, or the space between cells. A very important messenger is dopamine that is created in the substantia nigra. It is important in human movement. These messages make sure muscles move smoothly, have control, and without movement that is unwanted. Another neurotransmitter system that aids with the dopamine system to create smooth movement is acetylcholine.

Different nerve cells in your brain are specialized to use either dopamine or acetylcholine when sending different messages, all depending on what it is you would like to perform. Two buckets one for the dopamine system and one for the acetylcholine system balanced on either end of a seesaw. This depicts the situation at rest when the dopamine and acetylcholine systems are balanced. When you decide to move, your brain understands the movement you want to make and it sends out a balance of dopamine and acetylcholine messages to keep that movement smooth (web 1999). Parkinsons disease affects nearly one percent of the population that is of the age of 60 in the US. This disease has shown to be more common among men than among women and is more widespread in northern countries.

The occurrence of this disease increases with age, yet aging itself is not believed to be a factor. It has shown to be seldom inherited and actually less than a percent of cases are thought to be a result of a genetic inherent (Larsen, 2002). Symptoms of Parkinsons occur because this condition slowly but surely kills nerve cells that release dopamine. It carries many messages from one nerve cell to the next. A loss of dopamine messes up communication pathways of nerves that aid in controlling movement. As the cells die, patients have more and more difficulty controlling and performing certain movements.

A person with this disease would oftentimes walk with a shuffle with face muscles growing firm, which causes a mask like expression. James Parkinson first described Parkinsons disease in England in 1817. Parkinson wrote a description of six patients suffering from a slowly progressing disease characterized by involuntary tremulous motion, which lessened muscular power in parts not in action even when supported, with a propensity to bend their trunks forward from a walking to a running pace (Health & Illness, 1995). The disease he named shaking palsy is known as parkinsonism (Parkinsons disease) in his honour. Parkinsonism, also called paralysis asians, is defined as a disorder of the brain characterized by shaking and difficulty with walking, movement, and coordination. The disease is associated with damage to part of the brain that controls muscle movement.

The term parkinsonism refers to any condition that involves a combination of the types of changes in movement seen in Parkinsons disease, which happens to be the most common condition causing this group of symptoms. Parkinsonism may be caused by other disorders or by external factors (secondary parkinsonism). (Yahoo. Health). These symptoms include adverse reactions to prescribed medication, carbon monoxide poisoning, stroke, head injury, and brain tumours. In Parkinsons disease dopamine, which is important for transporting signals from one cell to another within your brain is lost. Resulting in impairment of walking, arm movement, and facial expressions.

Parkinsons disease manifests itself in various manners. These may include 1) only one side of the body, 2) both sides, 3) both sides with mild postural imbalance, 4) both sides with critical postural instability and 5) severe and fully developed disease so that you may be restricted to a bed or chair (Family Health Book, 1990). When present, it appears to be due to decreased sensitivity of the nerves (post-synaptic) to dopamine rather than deterioration of the area of the brain that produces dopamine. In Parkinsons disease, for reasons that are not fully understood, nerve cells in the part of the brain that produce dopamine, the substantia nigra, begin to decrease in number. Parkinsons disease is caused by progressive deterioration of the nerve cells of the part of the brain that controls muscle movement. Dopamine, which is one of the substances used by cells to transmit impulses (transmitters), is normally produced in this area.

Deterioration of this area of the brain reduces the amount of dopamine available to the body. Insufficient dopamine disturbs the balance between dopamine and other transmitters, acetylcholine. Without dopamine, the nerve cells cannot properly transmit messages, and this results in the loss of muscle function (Yahoo. Health). The exact reason that the cell of the brain deteriorates is unknown. The disorder may affect one or both sides of the body, with varying degrees of loss of function.

In addition to the loss of muscle control, some patients are affected emotionally, yet because they differ in age and physical condition; it is difficult to pinpoint any specific problems shared by every patient (Parkinsoninfo. com). Although early loss of mental capacities is uncommon, with severe Parkinsons the person may exhibit overall mental deterioration (including dementia, hallucinations, and so on). Parkinsons disease tends to be progressive so the symptoms worsen eventually.

This progression appears to be caused by the deterioration of several of the four brain structures called basal ganglia (the corpus striatum, thalamus, substance nigra, and globus pallidum), which is related to depletion of the neurotransmitter dopamine (Health & Illness. 1995). The time this process takes varies greatly, and you may have years of productive living after developing the disease (Family Health Book. 1990) As the disease develops symptoms may include: slowness of voluntary movements, especially in the initiation of such movements as walking or rolling over in bed. Decreased facial expressions, difficult! y with speech and decreased eye blinking. A shuffling gait with poor arm and swing and stooped posture.

Unsteady balance and difficulty rising from a sitting position. Continuous pill-rolling motion of the thumb and forefinger. Abnormal tone or stiffness in the trunk, and swallowing problems in the later stages (On Health. 1999). Although Parkinsons disease is not fatal it can make every day tasks such as writing and brushing your teeth very difficult. There are, however, universal challenges that most patients experience to varying degrees. Many patients may experience a sense of fear and / or isolation.

These problems can cause difficulties and anxieties that influence daily living (Parkinsoninfo. com). Usually the disorder begins between the ages of 50 and 65, yet the clinical and pathological features of Parkinsons may occur in younger individuals, it is called juvenile parkinsonism. Whether younger-onset Parkinsons disease is truly the same illness as that of older individuals is not known. In individuals of all ages, the diagnosis of Parkinsons is based only on the clinical features of tremors, muscle rigidity, and overall slowness in movement. Parkinsons disease affects about 1 in 100 Americans over the age of 60 years.

The illness is much rarer at younger ages (Parkinsons Handbook. 1995). Parkinsons disease is seen more in countries with predominantly Caucasian populations. African countries have fewer cases. In the USA, Parkinsons disease is seen more often in people who live in rural areas rather than in cities. The reason for this is not fully understood. Some research shows that farmers may be at greater risk because of the herbicides and insecticides they use in their work.

In all countries of the world where Parkinsons disease has been studied, slightly more men than woman get the disease. The reason for this is not clear. Some people may inherit genetic characteristics that make them more likely to get Parkinsons disease. While the tendency to get Parkinsons may be hereditary, researchers do not believe that people inherit a specific Parkinsons gene or chromosome. Recent studies show something very interesting; people who smoke are less likely to get Parkinsons.

Additionally, nicotine may have a positive effect on memory (Help 4 Parkinsons). Still, it is not recommend using smoking as a means of preventing Parkinsons disease. Treatment of Parkinsons disease has evolved immensely, although there is no known cure for the disease, treatment can help a lot. Medication normally is introduced when the disease interferes with daily activities. The main goal of treatment is to reverse the problems with walking, movement, and tremors by restoring your brains supply of dopamine.

A medicine called Levodopa is used to increase the amount of dopamine in your brain. Levodopa can dramatically improve balance and movement (Family Health Book. 1990). The drug levodopa is converted in the brain to dopamine, rep! lacing the dopamine once produced within the substance nigra.

Another drug patients receive are MAO-B inhibitors, these drugs work to make the most of the dopamine your brain is still producing or is administered to the patient (Parkinsons Handbook. 1995). Various surgical procedures have been used to destroy tissue deep in the brain in an effort to decrease tremors caused by the disease. Because of computer-assisted technology now available, these procedures are being done much more precisely than in the past. Currently, the transplantation of adrenal gland tissue to precise locations deep in the brain is under investigation. Although early reports on this form of treatment were encouraging, more recent experience with this type of transplantation is much less encouraging. Much more investigation needs to be done to determine its exact role in the treatment of conditions such as Parkinsons disease (Family Health Book. 1990).

Despite years of research, no one has been able to! identify the definite cause of Parkinsons disease. There may be a number of contributing factors. It is now supposed that Parkinsons disease probably develops when a genetic predisposition combines with exposure to some environmental toxin (Help 4 Parkinsons). A recent study has found a possible genetic predisposition towards Parkinsons disease.

The evidence was gathered from the DNA of an Italian family with a long history of Parkinsons disease. The family that was studied has had Parkinsons in its genealogy since the 18 th century. For the purpose of the study, researchers extracted DNA from 28 family members, 9 with Parkinsons disease. After comparing the 9 Parkinson patients samples with those of the unaffected members, scientists were clearly able to identify a genetic link- a mutation on the long arm of chromosome 4.

This is exciting news because its the first step on an entirely new research pathway. Next, scientist will attempt to narrow down the exact location o! f the specific gene associated with Parkinsons disease. Of course, a great deal more research is needed on this subject; its possible that the chromosome 4 defect is only one of several mechanisms leading to Parkinsons disease (Parkinsoninfo. com). Living with Parkinsons disease is very hard on the individual and also on his / her loved ones.

The long-term goal is to manage the symptoms of the disease, remain healthy and active, and to live a relatively normal life for as long as possible. Speaking from experience I know how extremely difficult it is to watch someone you love go threw this disease. There are many things a patient can do to improve their condition. Exercise is essential to keeping someone strong and healthy. Also diet, because every extra pound means more work and more trouble for your muscles. In addition, physical therapy is recommended to help the individual for maximum benefit.

So no matter what stage of the disease a person is in the important thing is to! never lose hope. Technology is getting more advanced everyday and with proper treatment of Parkinsons disease a person can live a long, relatively normal, and active life. Doctors do not know what causes Parkinsons disease and are still striving for an answer. Many people believe that...


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Research essay sample on Parkinsons Disease Nerve Cells

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