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Test Your Parkinson's Disease Knowledge

Thank you for testing your Parkinson's disease knowledge! Find out the correct answers and how Care2 members responded.

Parkinson's disease is caused by:
  • Environmental factors.
    3%
     
  • Familial inheritance.
    11%
     
  • Gene alteration.
    7%
     
  • There is no proven cause. - Correct! Although all of the listed factors have been included in theories about the cause of Parkinson's disease, none has ever been proven.
    76%
     
8426 responses
Parkinson's disease affects nerve cells in a part of the brain that controls:
  • Muscle movement. - Correct! Parkinson's disease is a central nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in a part of the brain that controls muscle movement. The disease is typically distinguished by tremors; slowness and reduction of movement; stiffness in the arms, legs or neck; and loss of balance.
    90%
     
  • Emotion.
    0%
     
  • Memory.
    3%
     
  • The production and release of hormones.
    4%
     
8426 responses
People usually develop Parkinson's disease between the ages of:
  • 20-30.
    3%
     
  • 30-40.
    25%
     
  • 50-60. - Correct! Parkinson's disease symptoms most often appear between the ages of 50 and 60, although some people may not be diagnosed until they are in their 70s or 80s. Fewer cases of Parkinson's have been diagnosed in patients between the ages of 18 to 40 (called young-onset Parkinson's disease), and a small number of extremely rare cases have been diagnosed in patients under the age of 18 (called juvenile Parkinson's).
    55%
     
  • 70-80.
    15%
     
8426 responses
Parkinson's disease is diagnosed by:
  • A Doppler ultrasound test.
    4%
     
  • Review of medical history and clinical examination by a neurologist. - Correct! Parkinson's is not easy to diagnose, because no test exists that can clearly identify the disease. Diagnosis of PD is typically based on medical history and a clinical examination by a neurologist. Scans and tests are often used to help doctors rule out other possible causes for symptoms that resemble those of Parkinson's disease.
    61%
     
  • An MRI scan.
    19%
     
  • A CT scan.
    13%
     
8426 responses
Parkinson's disease is cured by:
  • Neurosurgical procedures.
    0%
     
  • Medications which help the brain replace dopamine, such as levodopa.
    5%
     
  • Physical therapy, focused on improving mobility, range of motion and muscle tone.
    1%
     
  • There is no known cure. - Correct! Although surgery, physical therapy and medications can all help to maintain a patient's wellness and slow the progression of the disease, a cure for Parkinson's disease is yet to be found.
    91%
     
8426 responses

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Fight Alzheimer's: Support the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act

Fight Alzheimer's: Support the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act

As many as 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease: a degenerative brain disorder that affects memory and cognitive functioning. There is no cure yet, but treatments for symptoms, combined with the right services and support, can make life better for millions of Americans. Just imagine having enough money to fund better Alzheimer treatments and preventions for this devastating disease, and additional help for the estimated 10 million caregivers of Americans with Alzheimer's. The Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act of 2009 calls for a significant increase in federal Alzheimer research funding - to $2 billion. Four members of Congress are already doing all they can to advance the bi-partisan Breakthrough Act in their respective chambers. But they need your support to persuade Congress to get it pass... and get more Alzheimer funding! Urge your members of Congress to pass the vitally important Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act and fund critical Alzheimer research and essential caregiver programs.

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