How prevalent is Parkinson’s disease (PD)?
#2
most common neurodegenerative disorder in the U.S.
~1 MILLION
people in the U.S. have PD
90,000
new diagnoses per year
What symptoms are common in PD?*
Motor symptoms
- Involuntary trembling/tremor or shaking of limbs
- Muscle stiffness
- Slowness starting and continuing movements
- Postural changes
- Writing in smaller handwriting
- Soft or low voice
- “Freezing” of gait or inability to move feet forward
Those with early-onset PD are especially prone to motor symptoms, and tend to develop them more rapidly after treatment is started.
Up to 20% of people with PD experience symptoms before age 50.
Nonmotor symptoms
- Emotional symptoms, including depression and anxiety
- Physical symptoms such as vision problems and digestive disorders
- “Parkinson’s pain,” including neuropathy
- Restless leg syndrome
- Cognitive changes, including Parkinson’s dementia
- Psychiatric issues, such as hallucinations or delusions
*Symptoms and experiences can vary from person to person. It is important that a physician confirm a PD diagnosis.
PD is a progressive disease
As PD progresses, the brain makes less dopamine, causing issues with coordination of movement and balance. The standard treatment is a levodopa-based medication, which replaces dopamine and often works well for several years.
OFF time occurs when levodopa is no longer providing PD symptom benefit and motor and nonmotor PD symptoms reappear. At 5 years (post diagnosis), over 50% of patients experience OFF time.
Dyskinesia refers to uncontrolled involuntary movements that occur when more or higher doses of levodopa are needed throughout the day. More than 30% of patients will experience dyskinesia after 2 years on levodopa, and close to 90% will experience dyskinesia at some point in their PD treatment journey.
Maximizing GOOD ON time is important as PD progresses
GOOD ON time occurs when a person with PD is not experiencing motor/nonmotor symptoms and is not bothered by dyskinesia. Find out more about OFF time and dyskinesia, and how addressing both is the answer to more GOOD ON time.