It's unusual for someone as young as Michael J. Fox to be diagnosed. It's more commonly found in people in late middle age, such as Attorney General Janet Reno or evangelist Billy Graham. Dr. J. William Langston, president of The Parkinson's Institute, says there are some risk factors that put people at increased risk of the disease. There is a growing number of medications available for the disease. They can be effective, but they can also have severe side effects.
Surgery is also an option.
A probe is placed in the brain and activated by a magnet under the collar bone. When turned on, it stops the tremors, but even this only slows progression of the disease. Experts like Dr. Langston are hopeful that research is bringing us closer to more effective treatments. And as with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease not only affects the person who has it, but the whole family. Experts say that's why support groups are so important.