Parkinson's disease Parkinson's disease affects over 120,000 people in the UK today. It is a disorder of the nervous system that progresses over time. With this disease, the nerve cells in the part of the brain that controls movement stop functioning properly and are damaged. The essay continues to be recognised worldwide, as the classic description of the condition. The cause of Parkinson's disease is unknown, although we do understand that it results from the defective release or lack of response to dopamine in the brain.
Dopamine is a chemical produced by the brain, which is involved in communication between nerves.
In Parkinson's disease the nerves that control voluntary movements such as walking, talking and writing are affected. Parkinson's disease is not inherited or contagious. It is known to affect all ethnic groups and is common across the world. In the UK, there are presently about 120,000 people with Parkinson's disease. The onset of the condition is usually gradual and progressive.