Parkinson’s Disease Research Paper

Research surrounding Parkinson’s disease has shown that certain neurons in the brain break down gradually or die. Most of the symptoms of this disease are, therefore, as a result of the loss of neurons that produce the chemical messenger dopamine. Once the dopamine levels decrease, it results in abnormal brain activity, which leads to symptoms of this disease, such as impaired movement (Chinta et al., 2018).Parkinson’s Disease Research Paper

One of the more common musculoskeletal conditions in Parkinson’s is referred to as the frozen shoulder and accounts for some of the patient’s symptoms. Frozen shoulder can be seen to be responsible for the stiffness experienced. Back pains are another common feature of Parkinson’s disease. Back pain is, however, a function of the prolonged asymmetric posture, osteoporosis, and rigidity. In this disease, spinal deformities are also well described, with the extreme flexion posture associated with the disease being referred to as camptocormia (Kim et al., 2018).Parkinson’s Disease Research Paper

Studies on the prevalence of Parkinson’s disease have shown a cumulative incidence of the disease of roughly 45 per 100,000. Among whites, the figure stands at 54 per 100,000 and 23 per 100,000 for African Americans. Latinos were seen to have a prevalence rate of 40 per 100,000. The above data can be summed up to show a relative risk of Parkinson’s disease of 0.43 for African Americans compared to Whites (Bailey et al., 2020).

As far as other chronic illnesses are concerned, African Americans have been seen to have rates, risk factors, and disease severity that is different from whites. Most investigations to date related to the disparity above focus on the structural factors in the quality and access of healthcare and potential systemic factors, with very few focusing on the genetic or phenotypic differences (Bailey et al., 2020).

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References

Bailey, M., Anderson, S., & Hall, D. A. (2020). Parkinson’s Disease in African Americans: A Review of the Current Literature. Journal of Parkinson’s Disease, (Preprint), 1-11.

Chinta, S. J., Woods, G., Demaria, M., Rane, A., Zou, Y., McQuade, A., … & Andersen, J. K. (2018). Cellular senescence is induced by the environmental neurotoxin paraquat and contributes to neuropathology linked to Parkinson’s disease. Cell reports, 22(4), 930-940.

Kim, Y. E., Kim, H. J., Yun, J. Y., Lee, W. W., Yang, H. J., Kim, J. M., & Jeon, B. (2018). Musculoskeletal problems affect the quality of life of patients with Parkinson’s disease. Journal of Movement Disorders, 11(3), 133.

An understanding of the neurological and musculoskeletal systems is a critically important component of disease and disorder diagnosis and treatment. This importance is magnified by the impact that that these two systems can have on each other. A variety of factors and circumstances affecting the emergence and severity of issues in one system can also have a role in the performance of the other.

Effective analysis often requires an understanding that goes beyond these systems and their mutual impact. For example, patient characteristics such as, racial and ethnic variables can play a role.

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An understanding of the symptoms of alterations in neurological and musculoskeletal systems is a critical step in diagnosis and treatment. For APRNs this understanding can also help educate patients and guide them through their treatment plans.Parkinson’s Disease Research Paper

In this Assignment, you examine a case study and analyze the symptoms presented. You identify the elements that may be factors in the diagnosis, and you explain the implications to patient health.

To prepare:

By Day 1 of this week, you will be assigned to a specific case study scenario for this Case Study Assignment. Please see the “Course Announcements” section of the classroom for your assignment from your Instructor.

Assignment (1- to 2-page case study analysis)

In your Case Study Analysis related to the scenario provided, explain the following:

  • Both the neurological and musculoskeletal pathophysiologic processes that would account for the patient presenting these symptoms.
  • Any racial/ethnic variables that may impact physiological functioning.
  • How these processes interact to affect the patient.

Parkinson’s Disease Research Paper