Parkinsonâs disease is a slowly progressive
disorder that affects movement, muscle control, and
balance. Part of the disease process develops as cells
are destroyed in certain parts of the brain stem, particularly the
crescent-shaped cell mass known as the substantia nigra. Nerve
cells in the substantia nigra send out fibers to tissue located in
both sides of the brain. There the cells release essential
neurotransmitters that help control movement and coordination.
Review Date: 05/06/2011
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, and David R. Eltz.
Previously reviewed by Daniel Kantor, MD, Medical Director of
Neurologique, Ponte Vedra, FL and President of the Florida Society
of Neurology (FSN). Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network
(10/4/2010).
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
