What causes Parkinson’s disease?
The brain. Scientists do not know exactly why these changes occur but they have identified some variations in the brains that are present in people with Parkinson’s. Here are a few possible causes for Parkinson’s:
- Low Dopamine Levels
Scientists attribute the symptoms of Parkinson’s to a decline or low level of dopamine within the brain. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter, is responsible for smooth coordination of muscle movements. When the brain cells that produce dopamine start to die, the levels of dopamine drop. Dopamine is essential in transferring messages to the part of the brain that controls movement and coordination. Low levels of dopamine make it harder for people to control their movements. Parkinson’s symptoms worsen as levels of dopamine drop.
