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 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 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 UK National Office
215 Vauxhall Bridge Road
London
SW1V 1EJ

Tel 020 7931 8080
Helpline: 0808-800-0303
Email:  enquries@parkinsons.org.uk
Website:  www.parkinsons.org.uk

Parkinson's UK has a well developed professional education programme including regional trainers, education bursaries, conferences, publications and a comprehensive website.  Help line staff offer advice to professionals involved in the management of Parkinson's research.

Parkinson's 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
Email: 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

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

 

Information and Support Workers
ISW's provide one-to-one information to people with Parkinson's, their families and carers, including benefits advice, emotional support, links to local and other services.

Teeside ISW
Peter Ellerton
Tel: 0844 225 3605
Email: pellerton@parkinsons.org.uk

County Durham and Darlington ISW
Dawn Gregory-Smith
Tel:  0844 225 9827
Email: dgregory-smith@parkinsons.org.uk

Gateshead, South Shields and Sunderland ISW
Deborah McGarrity
Tel: 0844 225 3608
Email: dmcgarrity@parkinsons.org.uk

Newcastle and North Tyneside ISW
Glynis Morton
Tel: 0844 225 3607
Email: gmorton@parkinsons.org.uk

Northumberland ISW
Andrew D'Adamo
Tel: 0844 225 3609
Email: adadamo@parkinsons.org.uk

 

Parkinson's UK Branches and Support Groups in the North East

Cleveland 01642 765152

Redcar and District 01642 475324

Middlesbrough 01642 821796

Hartlepool 01429 296680

Durham and Teesside Active Persons 01642 710415

Darlington 01833 637034

North Durham 0191 3848612

South Durham 01388 488375

Sunderland 0191 4144883

Newcastle (including North Tyneside, and Gateshead) 0191 265 1678

Hexham 01434 344562

Alnwick 01665 577316

Berwick 01289 307167