The Science Behind Our Company
Check out our research article
Brown et. al, 2022
What is Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder due to broken circuitry in the movement center of the brain. This leads to difficulty with movement, walking and balance. The symptoms progress slowly over time and eventually become debilitating. Although there is no “cure,” treatments are progressing to help people with Parkinson’s disease live long, happy lives.
There are 4 main symptoms to Parkinson’s disease
- Tremor in the hands, arm, legs, jaw or head
- Rigidity in arms, legs, and trunk
- Bradykinesia (slow movements)
- Impaired balance, possibly leading to falls.
Other symptoms can also be unrelated to movement, such as sleep problems, depression, thinking difficulties, smell impairments.
Early symptoms are often subtle, and sometimes considered the effects of aging. Some of the earlies symptoms are difficulty getting out of a chair or moving around the house. People may also have fewer facial expressions, a bent over posture, and quick, shuffling steps. The symptoms tend to initially present primarily on ones side.
The diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease can initially be difficult, and there are not specific diagnostic tests. A neurologist can help to determine if the disease is Parkinson’s disease or a similar disorder. Response to medication and progression of symptoms can help to differentiate the disease, but more technology is needed to monitor symptoms and clarify diagnosis.
What causes Parkinson’s disease
The causes of Parkinson’s disease are vast and not fully known. However, a misfolded protein called alpha-synuclein disrupts and kill brain cells, particularly cells that produce a chemical called dopamine. This neurodegenerative process primarily occurs in the movement center of the brain, called the substantia nigra and basal ganglia. These are deep brain structures, and sometimes this part of your brain is called your ‘lizard brain,’ because it does not involve conscious regulation. Since the subconscious movement center is broken, all movement by people with Parkinson’s disease requires conscious effort. This becomes very burdensome and difficult as each step and movement takes more thought and energy, and if they try to multi-task, they forget to continue walking and they fall.
What treatments exist
The primary treatment for Parkinson’s disease is to replace the missing chemical, dopamine. Since dopamine cannot get into the brain, the drug used is levodopa, which is a precursor to dopamine and can get into the brain. Brain cells can then convert levodopa into dopamine. Another commonly used treatment is deep brain stimulation, where electrodes are surgically implanted into the deep brain structures and helps to regulate the broken circuits. Other therapies are ones that target the non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (i.e. sleep and depression) or physical and occupational therapy. However, no validated therapy exists that modifies disease progression. All current treatments are for the symptoms.
How do we help
Our novel technology is based on cutting-edge research that helps to fix the broken circuits in Parkinson’s disease that will help people with this disease move more easily. We will bring more specifics soon, but the technology is getting us very excited.
For more information:
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
braininfo@ninds.nih.gov
www.ninds.nih.gov
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
www.michaeljfox.org
Parkinson’s Foundation
www.parkinson.org