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 researchers, the toxic combination of low magnesium and high levels of homocysteine can increase the likelihood of contracting gastrointestinal disease, several cancers, diabetes, and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. —Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 19 Dec. 2024

For instance, neuroplasticity aids in the recovery from stroke and can enhance performance in patients with movement disorders like Parkinson's disease. —Mill Etienne, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

Nicholas' wife, Mary Mangione, died of Parkinson's disease complications at the age of 92 in March 2023, according to an obituary in The Baltimore Sun. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

Such moderate coffee intake – about two to five cups a day – is linked to a lower likelihood of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, liver and endometrial cancers, Parkinson's disease and depression, according to Harvard University. —Erica Lamberg, Fox News, 11 Dec. 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