Biochemical perspective on Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects the nervous system and primarily affects movement. It is characterized by the degeneration and loss of dopamine-producing neurons in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra. The resulting dopamine deficiency in the brain leads to a range of motor symptoms, including tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), and postural instability. Parkinson's disease can also cause non-motor symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and cognitive impairment. Parkinson's disease is typically diagnosed in people over the age of 60, but it can also affect younger people. Although there is currently no cure for Parkinson's disease, treatments are available to help manage the symptoms and improve quality of life (Ciofalo et al., 2019).