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Medline NLM definition: progressive, degenerative disease of unknown etiology characterized by rhythmic tremor of the limbs, stooped posture, slowness of voluntary movements, and mask like facial expression. Pathologically there is nerve cell loss in the melanin-containing cells in the brainstem and a corresponding reduction in dopamine levels in the corpus striatum. Lewy bodies are present in the substantia nigra and locus coeruleus.
Parkinson's disease: information from the NHS website
Parkinson's disease: information from Patient UK website
Parkinson's Disease: factsheet from NINDS, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (US site)
National Institute on Aging: US site from NINDS aimed at older adults
PubMed search on Parkinson's Disease
Support Groups
UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology Movement Disorders Centre
Provices information about Parkinson's research at UCL/UCLH, including useful websites, courses and support networks, along with a selection of online videos providing more facts and information on Movement Disorders.
Parkinson's UK
Information on symptoms, therapies and the support offered by the society and by others. Funds medical research. Has a welfare department that responds to the needs of people with Parkinson's disease and their relatives. Regional officers give guidance on setting up self-help groups. Young Alert Parkinsonians Partners and Relatives is a specialist interest group for younger people with Parkinson's disease.This charity's aims include better treatments and finding a cure faster, with everyone affected by Parkinson's feeling more able to take control of their lives and the condition.
healthtalk - Parkinson's Disease
Interviews over 40 people with Parkinson’s disease from all over the UK, young and old, some having received their diagnosis as long as twenty years ago others more recently, some in the last couple of years.
European Parkinson's Disease Association (EPDA)
Objectives are to achieve the best possible quality of life for those with Parkinson and their carers.
PatientsLikeMe - Parkinson's (US site with UK members)
Forum. Patients share their treatments and outcomes not just to help themselves, but to help others.
National Parkinson Foundation (US site)
The NPF is a leading US national charitable organisation with international interests, and focuses on improving the quality of care in Parkinson's disease, through a network of centres of excellence.
Cure Parkinson's Trust (CPT)
The CPT charity seeks to bring about positive outcomes in research to slow, stop, reverse Parkinson's and to improve the quality of life of those living with the condition.
Brain and Spine Foundation
Information on living with a neurological condition and on diagnosis. There are publications and resources. The useful glossary of neurological conditions (under 'Information and support') includes links to some other organisations as well as to Brain and Spine Foundation information.
Healthtalk: nerves and brain
Personal experiences of people living with various neurological conditions.
Neurological Alliance
Collective voice for 80 organisations, including stroke and brain injury. Organisations are listed at https://www.neural.org.uk/our-members/, a good place to start if looking for information on those conditions. Site also includes information about living with a neurological condition, a glossary, and information about onset and diagnosis as well as a small set of real life stories.
NHS Inform: brain, nerves and spinal cord
NHS inform is Scotland's national health information service, with the aim of providing the people in Scotland with accurate and relevant information to help them make informed decisions about their own health and the health of the people they care for.