Parkinson's Disease Can Affect Young People, Doctor Explains

Parkinson’s disease has long been identified as a health disorder experienced by the elderly over 60 years of age. However, health experts warn that the disease may also affect individuals at a younger age.

Head of the Neurology Department, Parkinson and Movement Disorders Division at Siloam Hospital, Dr. Frandy Susatia, explained that although the exact cause of nerve cell death is not yet fully understood, a combination of genetic and environmental factors is strongly suspected to play a role in the development of the disease at a young age.

“To date, the exact cause of this nerve cell death is not yet fully understood, but a combination of genetic and environmental factors is suspected to play a role in the development of this disease,” said Dr. Frandy in a written statement received in Tangerang.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects the body’s motor system. The condition is triggered by the death of nerve cells in the substantia nigra, the part of the brain that produces dopamine. Dopamine itself is an important neurotransmitter that functions to regulate body movement.

“A lack of dopamine causes disruption in communication between the brain and muscles, resulting in difficulty controlling movement,” he added.