What happens in PD?
Parkinson’s disease occurs when a group of cells, in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra, begin to malfunction and eventually die. These cells produce a chemical called dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter, or chemical messenger, that regulates the activity of parts of the brain that control movement initiation and coordination. When Parkinson’s disease occurs these cells begin to die at a faster rate and the amount of dopamine produced in the brain decreases, leaving a person unable to control movement normally.
