Parkinson's Disease

Syllable breakdown

Dictionary meaning

A progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra of the brain, resulting in motor symptoms including tremor at rest, muscular rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), and postural instability, as well as non-motor features such as cognitive impairment, depression, and autonomic dysfunction.

Examples

• After years of subtle tremors, he was finally diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at the age of 62.
• Michael J. Fox's public advocacy has raised millions for Parkinson's disease research since his diagnosis in 1991.

Synonyms: PD, paralysis agitans (historical), shaking palsy (historical)