Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic neurological disease characterized at biological level by the destruction of dopaminergic neurons and at clinical level by the appearance of motor symptoms since these neurons allow the control of body movements. Slow movements, stiffness and tremors, especially of the extremities, are observed in patients. In France, 200,000 people live with Parkinson’s disease, the average age of diagnosis is 58 years with a new case diagnosed every 20 minutes.
The causes of the disease remain unknown, but the most likely hypothesis for most patients is a combination of environmental factors (repeated exposure to pesticides, detergents, etc.) and genetic predisposition. There are treatments that correct the symptoms for a while, but none so far slow the progression of the disease.
For more information about the disease
Visit the website of the association France Parkinson (www.franceparkinson.fr)
Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a disease in which the progressive disappearance of neurons in brain regions that manage memory, language, reasoning or attention leads to loss of function. Patients experience memory loss, attention and behavioral problems that greatly reduce the patient’s autonomy.
In France, nearly one million people live with Alzheimer’s disease, the average age of diagnosis is 73 years with 1 new case diagnosed every 3 minutes. The main identified causes of the disease are sedentary, cardiovascular disease or loneliness. There are no drugs that can cure Alzheimer’s disease, but some studies are promising and research is moving fast in this area.
For more information about the disease
Visit the website of the association France Alzheimer (www.francealzheimer.org).
Other neurodegenerative diseases
Many other neurodegenerative diseases are listed and affect a significant number of people. There is no cure for these diseases, which greatly diminish the autonomy of the patients and their quality of life, as well as that of their relatives. The diagnosis of these diseases is essentially based on clinical signs, which can be difficult at an individual level, leading to errors and delays in management. Many patients with neurodegenerative diseases are diagnosed very late and therefore cannot expect a net improvement in symptoms.
Although neurodegenerative diseases are most often diseases of the elderly, neurodegeneration can also occur in infants, children or young adults. In most cases, these are inherited genetic diseases with progressive worsening, for which the treatments currently available do not make it possible to envisage a cure.