Epidemiology of Parkinson Disease Discussion

Advanced Psychology

Musculoskeletal and Neurological Pathophysiologic Processes

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder that typically affects older adults. The cause of PD is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve both genetic and environmental factors. PD is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, a brain region that controls movement (Tysnes & Storstein, 2017). When these cells are lost, the person with PD experiences the symptoms of PD, which include tremors, stiffness, and difficulty walking.

Many pathophysiologic processes could account for the loss of dopaminergic cells in the substantia nigra in PD. Some of these processes include genetic mutations that lead to PD; environmental factors such as exposure to pesticides or toxins; and disease progression. There is evidence that PD is a result of genetic mutations. Studies have shown that people who have PD are more likely to have specific gene mutations, including mutations in the parkin gene (Blauwendraat, Nalls, & Singleton, 2020). Parkin is a protein that plays an essential role in destroying Parkinson’s disease-related cells. Epidemiology of Parkinson Disease Discussion

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When these cells are damaged, they cannot properly remove toxins from the body, which can lead to the development of PD. Environmental factors also play a role in the development of PD (Tysnes & Storstein, 2017). Exposure to pesticides and toxins has been linked with an increased risk of developing PD, and some studies have shown that people who live in areas with high levels of these pollutants are more likely to develop PD.

Racial/Ethnic Variables

There are many potential racial and ethnic variables that could impact physiological functioning in Parkinsonism. For instance, African Americans have a higher rate of developing PD than Caucasians, and Hispanics have a higher rate of developing the disease than non-Hispanic whites. Asians also have a higher rate of developing PD than Caucasians (Marras et al., 2018). Ethnicity is an essential factor in the development of PD. People of African descent are more likely to develop early-onset disorder forms, which may be due to genetic variations. Some mutations in genes that influence dopamine production have been found in people with Parkinson’s from specific ethnic backgrounds (Radhakrishnan & Goyal, 2018). However, it is not yet clear whether these variations are responsible for the increased risk of developing the disease or if they are simply markers of earlier onset.

How these processes Interact

Mitochondria PD are organelles within cells that produce significant energy by converting glucose into ATP. Studies have shown that PD is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, which can accumulate toxic proteins in the cell. According to Blauwendraat et al. (2020), this buildup can cause cell death and contribute to developing PD symptoms. PD also involves a process known as protein aggregation, which is when large protein molecules aggregate and form clumps inside cells. This process culminates in protein damage and inflammation, which can further contribute to developing PD symptoms (Fanning, Selkoe, & Dettmer, 2020).

Together, these processes are thought to lead to the development of PD symptoms. However, how they interact remains incompletely understood. PD can also progress over time, which is why it is essential to identify and treat the underlying causes of the disease. Radhakrishnan & Goyal (2018) posit that early diagnosis and treatment of PD can lead to a better prognosis for the patient. Treatment options include medications that help restore movement and function, surgery, and stem cell therapy. Epidemiology of Parkinson Disease Discussion

References

Blauwendraat, C., Nalls, M. A., & Singleton, A. B. (2020). The genetic architecture of Parkinson’s disease. The Lancet Neurology, 19(2), 170-178.

Fanning, S., Selkoe, D., & Dettmer, U. (2020). Parkinson’s disease: Proteinopathy or lipidopathy? NPJ Parkinson’s disease, 6(1), 1-9.

Marras, C., Beck, J. C., Bower, J. H., Roberts, E., Ritz, B., Ross, G. W., … & Tanner, C. M. (2018). Prevalence of Parkinson’s disease across North America. NPJ Parkinson’s disease, 4(1), 1-7.

Radhakrishnan, D. M., & Goyal, V. (2018). Parkinson’s disease: A review. Neurology India, 66(7), 26.

Tysnes, O. B., & Storstein, A. (2017). Epidemiology of Parkinson’s disease. Journal of Neural Transmission, 124(8), 901-905.

Case Study:
A 67-year-old man presents to the HCP with chief complaint of tremors in his arms. He also has noticed some tremors in his leg as well. The patient is accompanied by his son, who says that his father has become “stiff” and it takes him much longer to perform simple tasks. The son also relates that his father needs help rising from his chair. Physical exam demonstrates tremors in the hands at rest and fingers exhibit “pill rolling” movement. The patient’s face is not mobile and exhibits a mask-like appearance. His gait is uneven, and he shuffles when he walks and his head/neck, hips, and knees are flexed forward. He exhibits jerky or cogwheeling movement. The patient states that he has episodes of extreme sweating and flushing not associated with activity. Laboratory data unremarkable and the HCP has diagnosed the patient with Parkinson’s Disease.
Assignment (1- to 2-page case study analysis) Epidemiology of Parkinson Disease Discussion
In your Case Study Analysis related to the scenario provided, explain the following:
• Both the neurological and musculoskeletal pathophysiologic processes that would account for the patient presenting these symptoms.
• Any racial/ethnic variables that may impact physiological functioning.
• How these processes interact to affect the patient. Epidemiology of Parkinson Disease Discussion