| Both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease affect nearly | | | | In April of 2003, a scientific study indicated that there |
| half a million people each year with their debilitating | | | | may be a connection between Alzheimer's and |
| and eventually life-robbing symptoms. While | | | | Parkinson's disease. In that study, it was concluded |
| Alzheimer's steals memories and personality and | | | | that older adults who develop the tremors and other |
| eventually leads to decreased motor function, | | | | classical symptoms of Parkinson's disease may be up |
| Parkinson's disease robs the person of basic motor | | | | to eight times as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease |
| function causing a shaking or palsy to run throughout | | | | as well. In addition, it has been shown that the |
| the body. Scientists have wondered for years | | | | symptoms of both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's |
| whether or not there was a connection for the two | | | | disease can be very similar and perhaps follow the |
| diseases, either in the genes or some environmental | | | | same lines, although the root cause may be |
| factor that triggered the onset of both Alzheimer's | | | | somewhat different. |
| and Parkinson's Disease. | | | | Research also suggests that Alzheimer's and |
| A Discussion of the Two Players | | | | Parkinson's disease may have a connection in how |
| Parkinson's disease is an incurable disease of the | | | | the two diseases progress over time. The same |
| nervous system where the neuro-transmitters in the | | | | study published in the April 2003 issue of The |
| brain begin to malfunction, causing a trembling in the | | | | Archives of Neurology tracked the progression of |
| body and limbs that gets progressively worse over | | | | symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease among |
| time. Symptoms of rigidity and trouble walking at a | | | | 824 Catholic clergy members with an average age of |
| normal gait also appear over time. Eventually this | | | | 75, and who had no signs of Alzheimer's disease at |
| disease will rob the person of the ability to control | | | | the beginning of the study. After approximately four |
| their balance leading to more falls and slips, which is a | | | | and half years, 79% of the study's participants |
| concern for their well being. | | | | experienced a more rapid progression of the |
| Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease are different in | | | | symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Of those who |
| that while Parkinson's disease appears to focus more | | | | experienced the most rapid progression, it was found |
| on physical ailments, Alzheimer's appears to affect | | | | that they were eight times as likely to have |
| the mental capacities before the motor skills and | | | | symptoms of both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's |
| physical ones deteriorate. Common everyday | | | | disease. |
| forgetfulness turns into confusion and forgetfulness | | | | Is there a connection between Alzheimer's and |
| that becomes a problem for every day activity. The | | | | Parkinson's disease? So far the medical profession is |
| location of homes or remembering the faces of | | | | still debating that idea, but more and more studies |
| children or friends becomes more and more difficult | | | | indicate that they're might be a link between these |
| with time. Eventually, the personality can change as a | | | | two debilitating diseases. Only more time, and more |
| result of the disease. | | | | research will be able to explain the connection, if any, |
| Is There a Connection? | | | | between Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. |