Sign Up Now
Get instant access to over 1 million+ study documents
OR
Already registered? click here to login
By creating your account, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and student honor code.
Genetic Factors
While environmental factors are shown to increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease there are also specific mutations linked to the development of PD in certain populations. For example it is reported that a study conducted on Parkinson's Disease and hereditary genetic risks of developing this disease states findings that researchers in the study "...found that ethnic Chinese individuals carrying a mutation they indentified in the LRRK2 gene are over two times more likely to develop the disease than non-carriers." (Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 2004) the study was conducted at Mayo Clinic in 2004. The research team not only discovered the LRRK2 gene and the role it plays in Parkinson's disease but as well discovered "...a number of mutations in LRRK2 a gene that codes for poorly understood protein, leucine-rich repeat kinase." (Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 2004)
One of the mutations 'G209S "has been shown to cause Parkinson's disease in people with and without a family history of the disease. G2019S is stated to be most common in "Berber Arabs and Ashkenazi Jews." (Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 2004) it is however stated that this mutation is considered to be a risk instead of causative because there are individuals with this mutation who never develop Parkinson's disease. The frequency of LRRK2 G2385R is stated to be at 8% within ethnic Chinese patients. It is interesting to note that for some reason "this mutation does not appear to play a role in Parkinson's disease within other racial groups." The study reports: "Their analysis concluded that the G2385R mutation arose approximately 4,800 years ago, corresponding with the rise of Chinese civilization and the reign of Yellow Emperor Huang Di, credited with inventing traditional Chinese medicine." (2004)
V. Recent Study Findings
It was reported on February 27th, 2009 that a team of scientists from Australia and the United States "have used yeast and mammalian cells to discover a connection between genetic and environmental causes of Parkinson's disease."...
These linkages are not coincidental. They're likely to be affecting a pathway and we suspect it's a central pathway. To confirm that would be very exciting indeed." (Psysorg, 2009)
Summary and Conclusion
The many genetic and environmental factors that have been identified to be risk factors in developing Parkinson's disease have assisted scientists in understanding the disease more fully however, it appears that the more that comes to light about the risk factors for Parkinson's disease, the more questions that are left unanswered. This disease is attributed to both environmental and genetic risk factors and it is presently unclear precisely what actually causes this disease. Much more in the way of research is needed and most certainly will be applied in this area of study and certainly all of the evidence that has been revealed in previous studies when combined with future upcoming studies will soon serve to better inform science of the precise factors that are either risk or causative in developing Parkinson's disease.
Works Cited
Wood-Kaczmar, a., Gandhi, S. And Wood, NW (2006) Understanding the molecular causes of Parkinson's disease Trends Mol Med. 2006 Nov;12(11):521-8. Epub 2006 Oct 5. Links
Understanding the molecular causes of Parkinson's disease.
Priyadarshi, a., Khuder, SA, Schaub, EA and Priyadarshi, SS (2001) Environmental risk factors and Parkinson's disease: a metaanalysis. Environe Res. 2001 Jun; 86(2):122-7.
How yeast is helping us to understand Parkinson's Disease (2009) Psysorg 27 Feb 2009. Online available at http://www.physorg.com/news154950981.html
Hancock, D.B. (2008) Pesticide Exposure and Risk of Parkinson's Disease: A Family-Based Case-Control Study. BMC Neurology 2008 8:6.
Fleming, L, et al. (1994) Parkinson's Disease and Brain Levels of Organochlorine Pesticides. Ann Neurol. 1994 Jul; 36(1):100-3.
Brown, TP Rumsby…
Works Cited
Wood-Kaczmar, a., Gandhi, S. And Wood, NW (2006) Understanding the molecular causes of Parkinson's disease Trends Mol Med. 2006 Nov;12(11):521-8. Epub 2006 Oct 5. Links
Understanding the molecular causes of Parkinson's disease.
Priyadarshi, a., Khuder, SA, Schaub, EA and Priyadarshi, SS (2001) Environmental risk factors and Parkinson's disease: a metaanalysis. Environe Res. 2001 Jun; 86(2):122-7.
How yeast is helping us to understand Parkinson's Disease (2009) Psysorg 27 Feb 2009. Online available at http://www.physorg.com/news154950981.html
Dementia Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia, of which there are many types. Dementia is a term that describes a number of conditions that lead to a loss of intellectual capacities but initially occurring with clear consciousness. The area most often first affected is memory; however, with some types of dementia this may not be the case. The DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria for dementia consist of memory loss and the loss
Obesity A website for Current Nursing touts a health promotion model as espoused by Nola J. Pender, a former professor of nursing at the University of Michigan. The model's focus is on three areas: 1) individual characteristics and experiences, 2) behavior-specific cognitions and affect, and 3) behavioral outcomes (Current Nursing, 2011). Additionally, the model touts the fact that each individual has unique personal characteristics and experiences that will affect their actions
It might appear simple to claim one has possession of these competencies yet, a breakdown in communication and the ability to discern the patients mental and physical condition will render health care incapable of fulfilling any of the competencies stated by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The palliative care nurse who is well educated and trained will know that prior to the progressive stages of the disease,
Statement of the ProblemThe problem to be addressed in this study is understanding the challenges doctors face in making an early diagnosis of Alzheimer\\\'s disease in women. This challenge is relevant as evidence shows that sex differences exist in the etiology and disease course of Alzheimer�s (Waters & Laitner, 2021). Moreover, As Zhou and Zhu (2022) show, women are 1.5x more likely than men to have Alzheimer�s. Understanding the challenges
Mental Health Treatment Approaches for Older AdultsOverview of mental health issues in the elderlyOld age is a natural occurrence for every human being, a stage in growth accompanied by several changes, which can be negative and identified as problems. Some of these problems are a rise in morbidity, mortality, hospitalization, and functional status loss. A large number of evidence associates these problems with common mental disorders to which the elderly
Although the severities of congestive signs may be similar, medical evaluation should be instructed to determine whether there is accompanying proof of cardiovascular disease. Physical proof of cardiovascular disease contains the narrow pulse pressure, cool arms, and legs, and sometimes changed mentation, with supporting proof sometimes provided by reducing serum sodium level and deteriorating renal function. Cardiovascular disease is frequently difficult to recognize through phone contact but may be