Parkinson’s Disease Foundation

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a degenerative disease characterized by tremors, muscle rigidity, slowed movements, and postural instability. It generally affects people over the age of 50, but young-onset Parkinson’s may occur even in childhood. One in five PD patients will also develop dementia. Worldwide, some 6.3 million people have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and 1.5 million Americans suffer from the disease. Parkinson’s was first diagnosed in 1817 by British physician James Parkinson, who named it the “shaking palsy” because of the inability of many Parkinson’s patients to control their movements. The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (PDF) was founded in 1957 to conduct research on PD, offer education about the disease, and serve as an advocate for patients and their families. Since that time, PDF has spent ...