29 April 2024
April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month – a time to raise awareness for Parkinson’s Disease (PD), the people affected by it, treatment methods, as well as inspiring stories from the community. The neurodegenerative movement disorder is characterised by a continuous decline of dopamine-producing cells in the motor region of the brainy. It is progressive – meaning it advances over time – and there is currently no cure.
PD affects more than 1.2 million people in Europe and over 10 million worldwide.1,2 Despite the large number, and the prognosis that the number in Europe will double by the end of the decade, there are still a number of popular misunderstandings and myths about the disease.3
A tremor can only come from Parkinson’s Disease
Wrong. While a common association with PD is the visible tremor of the hands or other extremities, tremor alone is not a reliable indicator of the disease. For example, movement disorders like Essential Tremor are also characterised by uncontrollable shaking or tremors in different parts of the body. Those experiencing tremors should consult their physician to determine the cause.
2. Everyone with Parkinson’s Disease has a tremor
Wrong. While not all tremors have to come from PD, there are in contrast various non-motor symptoms which can hint at the disease, such as sleep disorders, a reduced sense of smell, or changes in one’s handwriting may appear years before the more visible movement disorders. They can however be caused by a variety of reasons - those affected should seek help from medical professionals to determine the cause of their symptoms.
3. Parkinson’s impacts men and women equally
Wrong. Men are about 50 percent more likely to develop Parkinson’s Disease.4 Women, however, have a higher risk than men to experience motor complications in advanced stages of PD, and non-motor symptoms can differ between the genders as well.5
4. People with PD cannot have sex
Wrong. While it is not often talked about or considered a taboo, the impact of Parkinson’s Disease on the sexual life of those affected (and their partners) needs some clearing up. While it is true that PD often comes with overall lower sexual function, both due to decreased physical capacity as well as the emotional toll the disease can have, it does not mean that couples can’t restore their sex lives. Some PD medication may be impacting libido, while other medication may increase sexual functioning. An open conversation with their partner and a medical professional may help to work on this challenge.
5. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is an experimental treatment method
Wrong. DBS is an established therapy with proven efficacy in PD patients. While PD cannot be cured and medication can play an important role in the treatment, a number of established treatment methods can be used to improve the overall quality of life of those affected. This includes physical therapy,6 as well as a minimally invasive procedure called Deep Brain Stimulation in which electrodes are placed inside the brain to stimulate certain areas. Patients may notice improvements in quality of life, improved sleep, and DBS may result in fewer medicines to take each day or reduced dosages of medications.7,8,9,10 The technology has been used for decades and is a fairly standard procedure, with more than several hundred thousand DBS implant procedures completed worldwide.
To find more information on PD and treatment options as well as a physician locator to identify a specialist near you, visit our movement disorder page.
This material is for informational purposes only and not meant for medical diagnosis. This information does not constitute medical or legal advice, and Boston Scientific makes no representation regarding the medical benefits included in this information. Boston Scientific strongly recommends that you consult with your physician on all matters pertaining to your health. Results from different clinical investigations are not directly comparable. Information provided for educational purposes only.
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1Parkinson’s UK. https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/about-us/media-and-press-office
2WHO (World Health Organization). The global burden of disease: 2004 update. Genf, Schweiz: WHO; 2008.
3Michela Tinelli, Panos Kanavos, Federico Grimaccia (LSE), The value of early diagnosis in treatment in Parkinson’s disease - A literature review of the potential clinical and socioeconomic impact of targeting unmet needs in Parkinson’s disease (2016)
4Shpiner, D. S. et al. Gender Disparities in Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson’s Disease. Neuromodulation 22, 484–488 (2019).
5Picillo, M. et al. The relevance of gender in Parkinson’s disease: a review. J. Neurol. 264, 1583–1607 (2017).
6Lauzé, Martine, Daneault, Jean-Francois, Duval, Christian. The Effects of Physical Activity in Parkinson’s Disease: A Review. Montreal, Canada; 2016.
7Weaver et al. Bilateral deep brain stimulation vs best medical therapy for patients with advanced Parkinsons Disease: A randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2009. 301: 63-73.
8Okun et al. Subthalamic deep brain stimulation with a constant-current device in Parkinson's disease: An open-label randomised, controlled trial. Lancet Neurology. 2012. 11(2): 140-149.
9Timmerman et al. Multiple-source current steering in subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease (the VANTAGE study): a non-randomized. prospective, multicentre, open-label study. Lancet Neurology. 2015. 14: 693-701.
10Farris, S. and Giroux, M. (2013). DBS: A Patient Guide to Deep Brain Stimulation. Movement and Neuroperformance Center Colorado.