Parkinson's disease

noun

Par·​kin·​son's disease ˈpär-kən-sənz- 

variants or less commonly Parkinson disease or Parkinson's or Parkinson's syndrome

: a chronic progressive neurological disease chiefly of later life that is linked to decreased dopamine production in the substantia nigra and is marked especially by tremor of resting muscles, rigidity, slowness of movement, impaired balance, and a shuffling gait

called also paralysis agitans

Examples of Parkinson's disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the Parkinson's Foundation, a study published in 2020 found that having a single concussion raised the lifetime risk of being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease by 57%. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 24 Sep. 2024

Former Green Bay Packers great and pro football Hall of Famer Brett Favre revealed on Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. —Steven Martinez, Journal Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2024

Resveratrol has been studied as a potential agent against heart disease and neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, but the data remain inconclusive.4 Resveratrol has been found to have anticancer activity, including against breast cancer. —Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 16 Sep. 2024

Thyroid disease Diabetes Rosacea (a chronic inflammatory skin disease) Parkinson's disease (a progressive neurological disorder) COVID-19 Prior eye surgery Post COVID Eye Inflammation Your COVID-19 illness may be over, but its effect on your eyes may linger. —Maxine Lipner, Verywell Health, 11 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

James Parkinson †1824 English physician

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

Parkinson's disease

noun

Par·​kin·​son's disease ˈpär-kən-sənz- 

: a disease chiefly of later life that tends to get steadily worse and is marked especially by stiff and trembling muscles, slowness of movement, and a shuffling way of walking

Medical Definition

Parkinson's disease

noun

Par·​kin·​son's disease ˈpär-kən-sənz- 

variants also Parkinson disease

-sən-

or Parkinson's

: a chronic progressive neurological disease chiefly of later life that is linked to decreased dopamine production in the substantia nigra, is of unknown cause, and is marked especially by tremor of resting muscles, rigidity, slowness of movement, impaired balance, and a shuffling gait

called also paralysis agitans, parkinsonian syndrome, parkinsonism, Parkinson's syndrome