Parkinson’s Investigations: Neurodegenerative Disorders

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Among the large number of diseases that affect the body and lead to a reduction in human performance and functionality, particular attention should be paid to neurodegenerative disorders. Such painful conditions are usually associated with the oppression of the patient’s central and peripheral nervous systems, resulting in arbitrary and uncontrolled muscle contraction, tremor and twitching of the limbs, as is typical of Parkinson’s disease. It is worth saying that this neurodegenerative disease starts from the cortex, where under the influence of external environmental factors, genetic heredity, or aging processes, slow degradation of dopamine-producing neurons is noticeable (Melinosky, 2019). The result of such destructive processes is a general decrease in neurotransmitter concentration, which is expressed in the extrapyramidal system disorder. This effect leads to increased alpha and gamma activity of motor neurons, which causes the development of rigidity of muscle fibers and their regular contraction.

The everyday life of a Parkinson’s patient is slowly and consistently changed for the worse. In particular, the patient’s necessary daily actions are complicated by lack of muscle control, weakness, slow motion, tremor, and even inhibition of speech function (“Parkinson’s disease,” 2020). In addition, degenerative changes become visible in the patient’s postures, gait, and facial expressions. At the same time, there is an oppression of the cognitive center: thus, cognitive disorders are expressed through a general decline in intellectual capacity, narrowing of the spectrum of interests, development of paranoia, and depressive moods (Melinosky, 2019). However, according to Spears (2017), in the early stages of the disease, a person continues to perform daily activities without hindrance. It is worth admitting that the evolution of Parkinson’s disease is not unified because experts in medicine determine a different number of consecutive stages. Thus, according to Robinson (2019), the disease progresses through three stages: mild, moderate, and advanced. If, during the mild phase of Parkinson’s disease, the patient suppresses most of the symptoms with medication, then, in the last one, drugs do not work anymore, and the patient’s life is limited to being in bed. However, Downward (2017) offers a more extended chronology of the disease through five stages, three of which are characterized by complete patient independence. In the last two stages, the patient continually falls and stumbles, so walkers or a wheelchair are traditionally used.

Most patients with a diagnosed condition have almost no chance of full recovery. It is difficult to discuss the prognosis of the disease because it is strictly individual for each patient: while after five years, some patients cannot walk on their own, others can continue to lead active lives. In other words, although the symptoms are steadily progressing, the duration of each stage is individual. Moreover, over time, the patient acquires a disabled person’s status and loses the independence of action and the ability to act. Traditional treatment of the disease aims to restore the synthesis of dopamine molecules, preventing physical activity and social support for the patient. Drug therapy includes taking medications such as levodopa, amantadine, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors: both combined and specialized treatment is possible. However, even if the medication is adequately selected by a medical officer, this does not guarantee that cells will stop dying. As side effects, most medications have the potential to cause mild and severe health problems (Watson & Han, 2018). Mild forms include nausea, loss of appetite, reduced blood pressure, and hallucinations. More severe forms include stomach ulcers, orthostatic hypotension, mental disorders of various types, erythromelalgia, and fibrosis.