LAHORE: An estimated six million people worldwide are suffering from the Parkinson’s disease and each year around 50,000 people are diagnosed with the disease globally, leading neurologists said on the occasion of World Parkinson’s Awareness Week. Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder in which a vital chemical in the brain called dopamine is gradually reduced. It progresses slowly and brings on symptoms of tremor, slowness in movement, stiff limbs, and walking or balance problems. There is no definitive test to detect Parkinson’s disease or Parkinsonism and doctors take a thorough medical history and may request a number of tests. “The average age of diagnosis is around 60, but approximately 15% of people with Parkinson’s are diagnosed before age 50 and are said to have young-onset Parkinson’s disease. A number of researchers have found that increased risk of developing disease is 1.5 to 2fold in males as compared to females,” President Pakistan Stroke Society and Associate Professor Neurology at CMH Lahore Dr Qasim Bashir said. Dr Bashir said appropriate treatment can reduce the symptoms and improve quality of life. Patients need to know that the disease will not be cured completely but its progress can be slowed with medications, he said. While stressing on all the stakeholders for launch joint efforts, Senior Neurologist at Doctors Hospital Lahore Dr Amer Ikram said, “It will direct people towards getting an early diagnosis and treatment that can improve symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. We should play our role in the community to spread awareness about Parkinson’s disease.” Talking about the causes of the disease, he said, “The cause of disease is still unknown. Researchers think that both genes and environment may play a role. The disorder is due to a loss of nerve cells in an area deep within the brain called the substantianigra. This area produces the chemical dopamine. Dopamine helps send signals within the brain. Without the right amount of dopamine, movement can be impaired.” Parkinson’s disease is also associated with many psychiatric problems such as anxiety, sleep disturbance and psychotic symptoms but depression is the most common comorbid condition that can affect Parkinson patients.”We have to join hands to create awareness about Parkinson’s to help fight this disease and show solidarity with patients,” he concluded. Published in Daily Times, April 15th 2018.