Abstract
This paper discusses Parkinson's Disease. It examines what causes Parkinson's Disease, the symptoms associated with it, and the possible treatments for the illness. The paper further discusses embryonic and fetal stem cell transplants in relation to the disease and whether or not these types of treatments should be considered for patients.

From the Paper
"In modern society there are a variety of diseases that prevent individuals from functioning in their daily lives, and that create, for many, a lifetime of suffering. Parkinson's Disease is one such affliction that has begun to be viewed by science, not merely as a disease, but an illness that may find a cure through stem cell research. For those with Parkinson's Disease today this concept offers hope for a future without illness - a slim chance that one day they will not have to arrange their lives to accommodate the slow disintegration of their physical abilities. However, it is apparent that the reality of the disease, as well as the progress that has been made in stem cell research should be viewed prior to making assessments regarding the validity of those dreams."

Tags:parkinson's, stem, cell

Abstract
In this article, the writer examines the article "Proteins Slow the Progress of Parkinson's Disease" which describes a 2004 study showing that injection of two proteins, Sonic Hedgehog and Gli1 reduced Parkinson's disease in rats. The writer discusses the article in terms of the hypothesis of the study, results and conclusion and critiques the study.

From the Paper
"Parkinson's disease is caused by the degeneration of cells in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra. As cells in this part of the brain die they stop producing dopamine a neurotransmitter that is needed by the basal ganglia to produce coordinated movement. It is the lack of dopamine due to cell death in the substantia nigra that is responsible for the symptoms of the disease. The current treatment for Parkinson's disease involves giving patients dopamine ..."

Tags:Parkinson's disease, Gli1

Abstract
This paper summarized a specific article on the neurosurgical management of Parkinson's disease (PD) as it relates to motor function and speech. The paper looks at the characteristics of oromotor function and describes a study on speech problems of PD patients.

From the Paper
"The purpose of this paper is to summarize the following article; Farrell, A. Theodoros, D. Ward, E. Hall, B. Silburn, "Effects of Neurosurgical Management of Parkinson's Disease on Speech Characteristics and Oromotor Function" Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing Research. Purpose and Rationale: The purpose of Farrell, Theodoros, Ward, Hall and Silburn's study was to determine the effects on Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients of the neurosurgical procedures of pallidotomy, thalamotomy and deep brainstimulation on measures of perceptual speech dimensions and..."

Tags:Parkinson's Disease, neurosurgical, speech, oromotor function

Abstract
This paper explains that the Exelon patch is a means of dosing a patient with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease with rivastigmine, a cholinesterase inhibitor. The author stresses that, based on clinical studies, rivastigmine is not recommended in the treatment of patients with mild to moderately severe Alzheimer's disease. The paper compares the physiology and use of this medication for Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's dementia.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Difference between Use for Alzheimer's vs. Parkinson's Dementia
Physiologically Difference of these Two Dementias
Rivastigmine
Advantage of a "Patch
"Moderate" Dementia
Implications of the Health Issue
Circumstances Contributed to this Current Health Care Issue
Implications for Dental Hygienist

From the Paper
"Treating a patient with Alzheimer's disease with rivastigmine may create false hopes in the caregiver's mind, which affects the economic, social, lifestyle, legal, political, medical and ethical considerations of both patient and caregiver. If the drug, which seems to promise delay of full-time care of a progressive disease, does not deliver this delay, the expectations and therefore the planning of future activities and care are deeply affected. Liability increases on the part of diagnostician, the one prescribing the drug and the administrator."

Tags:parkinson liability expectations, dental hygienist, memory

Abstract
This paper describes the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and examines possible causes for the condition. A description of the discovery of the disease is followed by a discussion of its symptoms. A significant portion of the paper is a review of current literature regarding causes of Alzheimer's disease. The paper concludes with a description of populations at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Table of Contents
AD History
Suspected Causes of AD
Is AD Contagious?
Is it Caused by Something we Eat?
Other Risk Factors
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Proteins, not necessarily those consumed but rather those made in the body, have also formed a basis for AD research. Pathologist George C. Glenner, in 1983, examined the molecular structure of [beta]-amuloid, a structure that constitutes the tip of the plaques present in AD, and discovered that the concentration of these amyloids is particularly high, appearing like strips of sticky substance spilled on a floor and gumming up the works (Odle, 2003). Since Glenner's work, new research indicates that [beta]-amyloid is toxic to neurons, and could therefore easily lead to cell destruction."

Tags:senile, dimentia, Parkinson's, Disease, elderly

Abstract
This paper delves deeply into the subject of Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, explaining that advances have been made in identifying the genes and environmental factors that may predispose an individual to developing Parkinson's, as well as in developing pharmaceuticals to alleviate some of the physical symptoms of the condition. The paper points out that, regardless, much debate remains over the molecular mechanisms that malfunction and lead to dopaminergic neuron death, the hallmark pathology of Parkinson's. The paper contains various figures of illustration, and concludes that impairment of calcium signaling might lead to protein aggregation as well, and combined with oxidative damage from other sources, might be a key to the selectivity of dopaminergic cell death in Parkinson's disease.

Outline:
Introduction to Parkinson's Disease
Mitochondrial Function, Malfunction, and Parkinson's Disease
Mitochondria and Parkinson's Disease Genetics: PINK1 and Parkin
Why Dopaminergic Cells?
Proposal for Further Study

From the Paper
"Although mitochondrial damage has been strongly implicated as a pathway common to idiopathic and familial Parkinson's disease, the question remains as to why dopaminergic neurons are exclusively destroyed. This is especially puzzling considering that mitochondria are universally present in every cell, and both PINK1 and parkin are expressed throughout the brain. One proposed explanation as to why dopaminergic neurons are selectively killed focuses on dopamine metabolism. Within dopaminergic neurons and astrocytes, cytosolic dopamine is hydrolyzed by MAO (monoamine oxidase) into DOPAC (3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid). This process results in the production of free radicals, toxic quinonic compounds and melanin [6]. In addition, dopaminergic neurons are very energy-demanding and may produce more reactive oxygen species by-products of electron transport than other cell types. Placing a population of neurons that is already experiencing stress from natural metabolic processes under even more oxidative stress via mitochondrial damage may be the key as to why dopaminergic neurons are selectively destroyed in Parkinson's disease."

Tags:genetic, pink1, dopaminergic, parkin

Abstract
This paper presents an in-depth description of Parkinson's disease, listing its initial symptoms, potential causes and evolving treatments. It also gives particular attention to methods of living with the disease without surrendering to it. The paper highlights the difficulties experienced by practitioners in diagnosing Parkinson's in its early stages. Then, it addresses the potential causes of the disease, including latent viruses and environmental factors. Also given is a case history of a women who has learned to live with the disease because of her profession as a dancer. Her case has increased awareness of the importance of physical fitness and motion as a factor in living with the disease. New surgical techniques that help alleviate Parkinson's symptoms are also discussed. The paper concludes by stating that despite the very dire prognosis of Parkinson's, people can live decades with the disease and should never give up hope.

From the Paper
"Most of the people suffering from Parkinson aren't aware that they carry the disease until it reaches its terminal phases. The disease usually affects those that are over 50 years old, as it is rare for younger people to have it. Generally, when the person that has the disease grows older, it also evolves and affects its carrier more. Parkinson's disease (PD) has various factors which lead to contracting it. Usually, men are more likely to contract the disease. Scientists have not been able to discover what makes men more vulnerable to the disease."

Tags:shaking palsy, dopamine, brain neurons, pesticide, pallidotomy

Abstract
This paper explains that the immediate cause of Parkinson's disease is related to the degeneration of brain cells in the area of the substantia nigra; damage to this area leads to the cluster of symptoms known as Parkinsonism. The author points out that symptoms of Parkinson's disease vary greatly between one patient and another, but the classic tremor associated with PD is referred to as "pill-rolling tremor" in which the movement resembles rolling a pill between the thumb and forefinger. The paper concludes that the prognosis for Parkinson's disease, for which there is no cure despite medical treatment, is not very encouraging because symptoms only worsen over time and become less responsive to drug therapies.

From the Paper
"The substantia nigra, or "black substance," is one of the principal movement control centers in the brain. The dopamine released by nerve cells of the substantia nigra stimulates another brain region, the corpus striatum. Without sufficient amounts of dopamine, the corpus striatum cannot control its targets, and so on down the line. Ultimately, the movement patterns of walking, writing, reaching for objects, and other basic programs cannot operate properly, and the symptoms of parkinsonism are the result."

Tags:degeneration, pill-rolling, tremor, substantia-nigra, therapies

Abstract
This paper explains that the exact cause for the onset of Parkinson's disease has not yet been clearly established, though a combination of factors, such as accelerated aging, oxidative stress, environmental toxins and neurotoxins, and genetic predisposition, may be responsible. The author points out that the medical treatment of Parkinson's disease is broadly divided under two main categories, namely, stereotactic surgical techniques such as thalamotomy, pallidotomy, and deep brain stimulation, and pharmacological treatments using anticholinergic drugs. This paper states that skilled nursing plays an indispensable role in delivering good, symptomatic management in a long-term patient-care setting.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Pathophysiology of Parkinson's Disease
Etiology
Symptoms and Complications
Medical Treatment
Patient Education and Care (Nursing Intervention)

From the Paper
"The debilitating effects of Parkinson's disease, requires efficient nursing care. Nurses play an important part in educating the patient about the long-term effects of the disease, the possible complications, and side effects of the continuous use of medicines and in assisting them to successfully manage the symptoms. The positive therapeutic effects of a loving and supportive nursing care cannot be understated. Especially for very old people who require long-term care, nurses play a vital role in overseeing the nutritional interventions, studying the functional status and the daily progress and in effectively managing other complications (like Orthostatic hypotension, Dysphagia) which are common in advanced stages."

Tags:debilitating, teatment, surgery, dopamine, management

Abstract
This paper examines Parkinson's disease, a chronic, progressive, neuro-degenerative movement disorder. Some of the primary symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease include tremors, rigidity, slow movement, poor balance, and difficulty with walking. In particular, it looks at how many Parkinson's patients suffer from dementia, the loss of intellectual functioning, which is characterized by loss of memory, cognitive functions, and judgment.

From the Paper
"Patients suffering from Parkinson's dementia may be confused and disoriented, and are usually unable to be left alone. In addition, they may be agitated, delusional, moody, and disinhibited. They have problems sleeping at night, and often sleep during the day. In many cases, they have little control over urine and stool. The prevalence of dementia in Parkinson disease, including the number of all Parkinson patients with dementia, was analyzed in a series of eight reports from neurology journals, each of which examined at least 100 patients over a thirty-year span (Lieberman, 2002)."

Tags:neurodegenerative, movement, disorder, memory