May 27, 2026
Medically reviewed by Heidi Moawad, M.D. — Written by Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph.D. on February 6, 2023
Parkinson’s disease is a neurological condition that can affect several areas of the brain. The area it affects the most is known as the substantia nigra, which is involved with movement. Nerve activity in other areas of the brain can also be affected, contributing to motor and nonmotor symptoms.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurological condition that can cause problems with movement, coordination, and balance. It’s estimated to affect almost 1 million people in the United States.
PD affects the nervous system. In this article, we’ll look at the ways it impacts the nervous system, what treatments can help, and the general outlook for PD.
In Parkinson’s disease, nerve cells in the brain become damaged and start to die. What exactly causes PD is still unknown. Generally speaking, it’s believed to develop due to a complex combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Indeed, some people with PD show genetic changes that are known to be associated with the condition. However, most people with PD don’t have these genetic changes.
People with PD do have accumulations of abnormal proteins called Lewy bodies in certain nerve cells. The formation or presence of Lewy bodies appears to contribute to PD, likely by disrupting certain processes within these cells, resulting in cell death.
Parkinson’s disease can have a variety of effects on the nervous system. This contributes to the types of symptoms associated with PD.
Motor symptoms
PD can affect several areas of the brain. The area that’s most significantly affected is called the substantia nigra, which is involved in movement.
The nerve cells in this area make a neurotransmitter called dopamine. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that allow nerve cells to communicate with each other.
Dopamine is important for controlling certain aspects of movement. It’s also involved in many other functions like attention, memory, and mood, just to name a few.
In PD, as the nerve cells that make dopamine die, less dopamine is produced. This leads to the characteristic motor symptoms that are associated with PD, such as:
- tremors
- slow movement, known as bradykinesia
- rigid muscles
- trouble with coordination and balance, which affects gait and increases the risk of falls
In late-stage PD, the corpus callosum and corticospinal tracts of the brain are sometimes involved. It’s thought that this is due to the chronic changes in motor activity that PD causes. Changes in these areas of the brain can also contribute to motor symptoms.
May 26, 2026
Medically reviewed by Heidi Moawad, M.D. — Written by Erica Roth — Updated on April, 6, 2026
Key takeaways
- Subtle changes in motor skills, such as handwriting becoming smaller (micrographia), can be an early indication of Parkinson’s disease. This happens because of changes in the brain affecting movement control.
- Early symptoms of Parkinson’s can include sleep disturbances, such as insomnia and restless leg syndrome, which can make it difficult to fall and stay asleep.
- Besides obvious tremors, Parkinson’s disease can cause rigidity, slow movement, voice changes, a rigid facial expression, and changes in posture.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurological movement disorder that affects approximately 500,000 people in the United States.
Some early symptoms include:
- cramped handwriting or other writing changes
- tremor, especially in the finger, hand, or foot
- uncontrollable movements during sleep
- slow movement (bradykinesia)
- voice changes
- rigid facial expression or masking
- stooped posture
PD starts with the brain cells, called neurons, which control movement. The neurons affected by Parkinson’s disease produce a substance called dopamine. PD sets in when specific neurons die and dopamine levels in the brain decrease. Experts think the lack of dopamine causes symptoms that affect how you move.
Early signs of Parkinson’s disease can be easy to miss, especially if they occur sporadically. It may be time for you or a loved one to see a doctor if you notice recurring symptoms.
A change in the size of your handwriting may be an early indicator of Parkinson’s disease. People with PD have a hard time controlling movement because of the changes in the brain. This can affect many different motor skills, including writing.
“Micrographia” is the medical term for small handwriting. People with Parkinson’s disease often have handwriting that looks cramped. Individual letters tend to be smaller than typical, and words are spaced closely.
A person with PD may be able to write in the size they intend for a short time, but as they relax, the writing usually becomes smaller after a few minutes.
Tremor is perhaps the most recognizable sign of Parkinson’s disease. A slight shaking of a finger, hand, or foot is common.
The person experiencing the tremor is likely to be the only one who notices it in the early stages of PD. However, the shaking will worsen and become noticeable to others as the condition progresses. The tremor is usually most noticeable at rest.
May 25, 2026
Medically reviewed by Heidi Moawad, M.D. — Written by Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph.D. on August 31, 2023
Dystonia causes involuntary muscle contractions that lead to unintended movements and changes in posture. It’s estimated to affect over one-third of people with Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurogenerative disorder that affects movement. People with PD have symptoms like tremors, muscle rigidity, and slow movements.
If you have PD, you may also experience dystonia. This is a condition that leads to involuntary muscle contractions that can cause changes in posture and movement.
Keep reading to learn more about PD-related dystonia. We’ll cover how dystonia is associated with PD, ways to manage it, and more.
Dystonia is a condition that causes unintended, sometimes painful, muscle contractions. Dystonia can affect one or many different muscle groups in your body.
Dystonic movements are irregular and can last for a few seconds or minutes. They may occur once in a while or very often. They usually happen more frequently as PD progresses.
The effects of dystonia lead to unusual movements and shifts in posture. For example, dystonia affecting your toes can cause them to curl involuntarily, making walking difficult or painful.
Dystonia can sometimes occur on its own due to genetics or unknown causes. But, it may result from another condition or factor, including:
- other neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease and Wilson’s disease
- birth injury, such as a lack of oxygen to the brain
- head injuries
- stroke
- brain tumors
- infections
- drug reactions
- exposure to environmental toxins
May 22, 2026
With my dad, I've found it's important to have these conversations
Written by Mary Beth Skylis | May 21, 2026
There’s a moment that many Parkinson’s families encounter at some point. Maybe they’re on the road with a loved one with Parkinson’s who is driving, and they notice slight swerving over the center lane, as I did a few years ago with my dad. Or maybe the moment happens during a particularly challenging freezing episode, leaving them navigating the discomfort of silence while mulling over a simple question: Do I help or do I wait?
The part of me that wants my dad, who has Parkinson’s, to maintain autonomy for as long as possible has a tendency to stay quiet, even when I notice subtle changes in the way he drives. But there’s another part of me that expresses resistance at the idea that he might put himself or others at risk by pushing his own limits. It’s a reality that I find myself facing more frequently as the disease progresses, and navigating the nuanced layers of loving my dad while finding the best ways to support him is challenging.
In my experience, it’s hard to find a satisfiable resolution of the tension between safety and dignity in these examples. I think that every challenge is unique. But the research I’ve done about other people’s strategies has helped me to better understand some of the best approaches to use with him.
May 21, 2026
Written by Susie Strachan | Last updated April 13, 2026
Parkinson’s disease can change how comfortable and safe cooking feels, especially when symptoms affect hand control, balance, or energy levels. Fortunately, Parkinson’s cooking aids and simple kitchen adaptations can make meal preparation more manageable.
With supportive tools, ergonomic adjustments, and energy-saving techniques, many people can continue preparing meals in ways that promote safety, confidence, and independent living.
Kitchen ergonomics and safety
A safer, more mobility-friendly kitchen can reduce strain and help you stay focused on cooking.
When balance, hand stability, or slower movement make it harder to stand at the counter, reach for items, or carry dishes, small changes in kitchen ergonomics may make cooking more manageable.
Helpful ways to make your kitchen safer and easier to use include:
- Keep frequently used items within easy reach to reduce bending and stretching.
- Use nonslip mats under cutting boards, bowls, and mixing containers.
- Clear clutter from counters to create a safer work area.
- Improve lighting so you can see ingredients, tools, and hot surfaces clearly.
- Choose lightweight cookware and stable pots and pans.
- Set up a workspace that allows for seated cooking when standing feels tiring.
An occupational therapy appointment may also help you identify personalized kitchen adaptations. An occupational therapist can assess how Parkinson’s symptoms affect your movement, safety, and energy use, and suggest tools, layout changes, or techniques that support safer cooking and independent living.
Adaptive kitchen equipment can make cooking easier when tremors, reduced dexterity, or slower movement get in the way. Many ergonomic kitchen tools are designed to improve grip, stability, and control.
Cooking aids for Parkinson’s include:
- weighted utensils that may help improve hand stability
- automatic openers for jars, cans, and bottles
- easy-grip knives and peelers for more controlled cutting
- kettle tippers or stable pouring aids for handling hot liquids
- cookware with large, easy-to-hold handles
- adaptive cutting boards with spikes or clamps to steady food while cutting
May 20, 2026
Medically reviewed by Heidi Moawad, M.D. — Written by Ellen Landes, MS, RDN, CPT and Kathryn Watson — Updated on July 22, 2025
Key takeaways
- There is no specific diet for Parkinson’s, but including foods rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids may help ease symptoms and slow disease progression.
- Foods high in saturated fats and heavily processed items may worsen Parkinson’s symptoms, so consider limiting or avoiding them.
- Embracing dietary strategies like the Mediterranean or MIND diets, along with staying hydrated and exercising, may benefit those managing Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease affects nearly 1 million people in the United States, and the number of new diagnoses each year is rising.
Symptoms vary from person to person but commonly include muscle spasms, tremors, and soreness. Researchers are still investigating the causes and triggers that activate Parkinson’s.
Since there’s no cure for Parkinson’s, and the drugs prescribed to manage symptoms sometimes have side effects, some people may be interested in complementary remedies.
Here, we’ll explore how diet can affect people with Parkinson’s, as well as which foods may help or worsen symptoms.
While diet won’t cure Parkinson’s, early research suggests that certain dietary changes may help relieve symptoms for some people.
Because research links Parkinson’s to a lack of dopamine in your body, scientists are looking for ways to increase dopamine naturally through your diet.
Diet may also help your body handle Parkinson’s medications better. Research suggests that diet may play a role in boosting the efficacy of drugs like levodopa and in helping to manage side effects.
Lifestyle changes, like diet and exercise, may also help reduce cognitive symptoms of Parkinson’s, like dementia and confusion, and slow disease progression.
Foods high in antioxidants may also help reduce oxidative stress in your brain, which may be responsible for some of the mental decline seen in Parkinson’s.
Additionally, you may be able to relieve constipation — another potential symptom — with fiber supplements and probiotics, although research is mixed.
Finally, taking magnesium may relieve muscle cramps that can occur in Parkinson’s, though supporting research is lacking. Still, scientists think low levels of this mineral may contribute to the development of Parkinson’s, so magnesium remains important.
Overall, further research is necessary.
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