Parkinson's disease

American  

Or Parkinson disease

noun

Pathology.

1. a common neurologic disease believed to be caused by deterioration of the brain cells that produce dopamine, occurring primarily after the age of 60, characterized by tremors, especially of the fingers and hands, muscle rigidity, shuffling gait, slow speech, and a masklike facial expression.

---

Parkinson's disease British  

/ ˈpɑːkɪnsənz /

noun

1. Also called: Parkinsonism.   Parkinson's syndrome.   paralysis agitans.   shaking palsy.  Often shortened to: Parkinson's.  a progressive chronic disorder of the central nervous system characterized by impaired muscular coordination and tremor

---

Parkinson's disease Scientific  

/ pär′kĭn-sənz /

1. A progressive neurologic disease occurring most often after the age of 50, associated with the destruction of brain cells that produce dopamine. Individuals with Parkinson's disease exhibit tremors while at rest, slowing of movement, stiffening of gait and posture, and weakness. The disease is named after its discoverer, British physician and paleontologist James Parkinson (1755–1824).

---

Parkinson's disease Cultural  

1. A chronic disease of the nervous system that usually strikes in late adult life, resulting in a gradual decrease in muscle control. Symptoms of the disease include shaking, weakness, and partial paralysis of the face. Certain drugs can help alleviate some of its symptoms.

---

Etymology

Origin of Parkinson's disease

Named after James Parkinson (1755–1824), English physician who first described it

Example Sentences

"It can lead to inflammation in the brain, and that's one of the things that can increase the risk of Parkinson's disease," he said.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

His subjects ranged from L.A. politics to issues in higher education, U.S.-waged wars to Donald Trump to his long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

Last year his family divulged that Mueller had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease for several years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

Macdonald, who had Parkinson's disease, died in 2014.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

Today, however, we remember him for his landmark study of the affliction then called the "shaking palsy," but known ever since as Parkinson’s disease.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson