Parkinson's Disease

 Parkinson's Disease

The Condition
Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder affecting learned voluntary movements such as walking, talking, writing and swallowing which is caused by a loss of dopamine in the brain

There are three main symptoms, but not everyone experiences all three:

• tremor
• rigidity
• slowness of movement

How common is PD?
PD affects slightly more men than women affecting 1 in 500 of the general population -

• 1:100 of those are over the age of 65 years
• 1:50 of those are over the age of 80 years
• 1:7 of those are diagnosed before the age of 50 years
• 1:20 of those are diagnosed before the age of 40 years

There are about 120,000 people with PD in the UK and the risk of developing PD increases with age

What causes PD?
The cause is as yet unknown and there is no known cure.  When about 80% of the dopamine has been lost, the symptoms of Parkinson's appear and the level of dopamine will continue to fall slowly over a period of time

Genetics
Scientists have identified nine genes linked to PD, one of which is responsible for the family link to developing PD.  Only in rare, about 5% of cases is there a genetic link to other members of the family

Environment
Research suggests that toxins in the environment can affect neurons in the brain causing dopamine production to be lost.

Parkinson's UK. (Parkinson's Disease Society until 2010)

Parkinson's UK National Office  
215 Vauxhall Bridge Road
London
SW1V 1EJ

Tel:  020 7931 8080
Helpline:  0808-800-0303-  free and confidential
Email:  enquiries@parkinsons.org.uk
Website:  www.parkinsons.org.uk

Parkinson' s UK is the Parkinson's support  and research charity, working to find a cure and improve life for everyone affected by Parkinson's.   

Parkinson's UK has a well developed professional education programme including regional trainers, educational bursaries, conferences, publications and a comprehensive website.  Helpline staff offer advice to all affected by Parkinson's and professionals involved in the management and care of people with Parkinson's.

A free quarterly magazine, Parkinson's News, keeps professionals up-to-date on issues and the latest advances in Parkinson's research

 

Parkinsons UK North East Regional Team

Regional Manager   Ebbie Hulland Tel: 0844 225 3600  Email: ehulland@parkinsons.org.uk

Branch and Volunteer Support Officer   Vivienne Rogerson Tel: 0844 225 3604 vrogerson@parkinsons.org.uk

Education and Training Officer   Jackie Burke Tel: 0844 225 3601 Email: jburke@parkinsons.org.uk

Service Development Officer   Olwen Pollinger Tel: 0844 225 3603 Email: opollinger@parkinsons.org.uk

Regional Fundraiser   Arun Malhotra   Tel:  0844 225 9846   Email amalhotra@parkinsons.org.uk

Information and Support Manager   Alex Martin Tel: 0844 225 3602 Email: amartin@parkinsons.org.uk

Information and Support Workers (ISWs)

Information and support workers (ISWs) provide one-to-one information and support to people with Parkinson's, their families and carers. This may include benefits advice, emotional support and links to local and other services.

ISW Northumberland and North Tyneside- Deborah McGarrity email: dmcgarrity@parkinsons.org.uk      tel 0844 225 3608

ISW Newcastle, Gateshead, South Tyneside - Glynis Morton email: gmorton@parkinsons.org.uk      tel 0844 225 3607

ISW Durham, Darlington & Sunderland - Margaret Hunter email: mhunter@parkinsons.org.uk      tel 0844 225 9827

ISW Teesside and East Durham - Sue Hutchinson email: shutchinson@parkinsons.org.uk      tel 0844 225 3605

Branches and Support Groups

For more information on branches and support groups please contact Branch and Volunteer Support Officer Vivienne Rogerson, Tel: 0844 225 3604, Mobile: 0791 721 0900, Email: vrogerson@parkinsons.org.uk or individual group contacts as listed below.  Some groups and branches also provide news and events information on our website at www.parkinsons.org.uk/local_to_you.aspx

 

Area	Telephone Contact
Alnwick	01665  577316
Berwick	01289  307167
Cleveland	01642  765152
Darlington	01833  637034
Durham and Teesside Active Persons	01642  710415 or 01609 883479
North Durham	0191 3867026 or 01913889156
South Durham	0191 3771972 or 01388814824
Hartlepool	01429 296680
Middlesbrough	01642 821796
Northumberland  (Central)	01670 860269 or 01670 505129
North Tyneside and SE Northumberland	0191 252 7876
Northumberland Tyne and Wear Active Persons	0191 4554794
Newcastle (including Gateshead )	0191 2422118
Redcar and District	01642 482066
Sunderland	0191 4144883