title: Understanding Parkinson Disease: A Complex and Multifaceted Illness.
abstract: Parkinson disease is an incredibly complex and multifaceted illness affecting millions of people in the United States. Parkinson disease is characterized by progressive dopaminergic neuronal dysfunction and loss, leading to debilitating motor, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms. Parkinson disease is an enigmatic illness that is still extensively researched today to search for a better understanding of the disease, develop therapeutic interventions to halt or slow progression of the disease, and optimize patient outcomes. This article aims to examine in detail the normal function of the basal ganglia and dopaminergic neurons in the central nervous system, the etiology and pathophysiology of Parkinson disease, related signs and symptoms, current treatment, and finally, the profound impact of understanding the disease on nursing care.
authors.affiliation: Questions or comments about this article may be directed to Sheila A. Alexander, RN PhD, at salexand@pitt.edu. She is an Associate Professor, Acute and Tertiary Care, School of Nursing, and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. Apoorva Gopalakrishna, BSN, Student, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Apoorva
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gopalakrishna
authors.forename: Sheila A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Alexander
mesh_terms: D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000502:physiology*; D059290:Dopaminergic Neurons / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000502:physiology*; D014202:Tremor / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D007980:Levodopa