PARKINSON’S DISEASE

Subject: Science & tech

Context: Father Swamy, the 83-year-old activist who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA)  for his alleged involvement in the 2018 Bhima Koregaon violence.

Concept :

• Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, degenerative neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system.
• It damages nerve cells in the brain dropping the levels of dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical that sends behavioural signals from the brain to the body.
• The disease causes a variety of “motor” symptoms (symptoms related to movement of the muscles), including rigidity, delayed movement, poor balance, and tremors.
• Medication can help control the symptoms of the disease but it can’t be cured.
• It affects the age group from 6 to 60 years. Worldwide, about 10 million people have been affected by this disease.