Parkinson's disease is a chronic and progressive movement disorder, meaning that symptoms continue to worsen overtime. The cause is unknown and although there is presently no cure, there are treatment options such as medication and surgery to mangage the symptoms. Parkinson's involves the malfunction and death of vital nerve cells in the brain called neurons. This disease primarily effects an area of the brain called the substantia nigra. Some of these dying neurons produce dopamine, a chemical that sends messages to the part of the brain that controls movement and coordination. As PD progresses the amount of dopamine produced in the brain decreases leaving a person unable to control movement normally. There are more than 200,000 US cases per year and requires a medical diagnoses.

Parkinson's is generally a disease diagnosed to those 60 years and older. If PD is diganosed earlier it is called Young Onset Parkinson's Disease.