History of Parkinson's disease in Timeline
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder primarily affecting the central nervous system. It impacts both motor and non-motor functions, with symptoms typically appearing gradually. Common signs include tremors, slowed movements, stiffness, and balance issues, collectively termed parkinsonism. As the disease advances, non-motor symptoms like dementia, falls, sleep disturbances, psychosis, mood fluctuations, and behavioral changes may emerge.
1911: Synthesis of Levodopa
Casimir Funk first synthesized levodopa in 1911, though its significance in treating Parkinson's disease was not yet realized.
1912: Discovery of Lewy Bodies
Frederic Lewy's description of microscopic particles, later known as Lewy bodies, in affected brains in 1912, marked a pivotal discovery in understanding the pathology of Parkinson's disease.
1919: Substantia Nigra and Parkinson's Disease
Konstantin Tretiakoff's 1919 report identified the substantia nigra as a critical area affected by Parkinson's disease, a finding initially contested but later validated.
1938: Confirmation of Substantia Nigra Involvement
Rolf Hassler's studies published in 1938 provided crucial confirmation of the substantia nigra's significant role in Parkinson's disease.
1957: Parkinson's Disease Foundation Established
William Black founded the Parkinson's Disease Foundation in 1957, and it has since provided over $115 million towards research and almost $50 million for educational and advocacy initiatives.
1961: American Parkinson Disease Association Founded
The American Parkinson Disease Association was established in 1961.
1967: Levodopa Revolutionizes Parkinson's Treatment
In 1967, levodopa entered clinical practice and marked a turning point in managing Parkinson's disease, significantly diminishing the reliance on then-common treatments like anticholinergics and surgery.
1967: Hoehn and Yahr Scale for Parkinson's Disease Progression
The Hoehn and Yahr scale, first published in 1967, provided a groundbreaking standardized method to assess the progression of Parkinson's disease, categorizing it into five distinct stages.
1981: 'James Parkinson' Tulip Cultivar Registered
In 1981, a Dutch horticulturalist registered the 'James Parkinson' tulip cultivar.
1982: National Parkinson Foundation's Contributions
Since its inception in 1982, the National Parkinson Foundation has contributed more than $180 million to patient care, research, and support services.
1990: Global Parkinson's Disease Deaths in 1990
Parkinson's disease caused a significantly lower number of deaths globally in 1990, highlighting the disease's growing impact over time.
1992: European Parkinson's Disease Association Founded
The European Parkinson's Disease Association was founded in 1992.
1997: Alpha-Synuclein as a Component of Lewy Bodies
A major breakthrough in 1997 was the identification of alpha-synuclein as the primary component of Lewy bodies by Spillantini, Trojanowski, Goedert, and others, significantly advancing the understanding of the disease's underlying mechanisms.
2000: Michael J. Fox Foundation Founded
Actor Michael J. Fox, diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at 29, established The Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000. The foundation has since raised over $2 billion for Parkinson's research, significantly contributing to the fight against the disease.
2004: Davis Phinney Foundation Founded
Olympic medalist and cyclist Davis Phinney, diagnosed with Parkinson's at 40, established the Davis Phinney Foundation in 2004 to support research efforts in the field.
2005: World Parkinson's Day and Red Tulip Symbol
To raise awareness, April 11th, James Parkinson's birthday, was declared World Parkinson's Day, and in 2005, a red tulip, specifically the 'James Parkinson' cultivar, was designated as the symbol of the disease by international organizations.
2007: High Societal Costs of Parkinson's Disease
A 2007 study revealed the substantial economic burden of Parkinson's disease, with inpatient care and nursing homes being the largest contributors to direct costs. The disease also carries significant indirect costs due to decreased productivity and the strain on caregivers, along with a reduced quality of life for both patients and their families.
2010: Potential Protective Effect of NSAIDs on Parkinson's Disease
A 2010 meta-analysis suggested that using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), except for aspirin, might lower the risk of developing Parkinson's disease.
2011: Gene Therapy for Parkinson's Shows Promise but Falls Short of DBS
In 2011, phase two clinical trials exploring gene therapy for Parkinson's disease, specifically the delivery of GAD, demonstrated potential. While the approach effectively improved motor function, it was not as effective as deep brain stimulation (DBS).
2014: Robin Williams' Diagnosis Highlights Diagnostic Challenges
The passing of actor and comedian Robin Williams in 2014 brought to light the complexities of diagnosing Parkinson's disease. Though initially diagnosed with Parkinson's, his autopsy revealed dementia with Lewy bodies, underscoring the difficulties in accurate diagnosis.
2016: Global Parkinson's Disease Deaths in 2016
In 2016, Parkinson's disease led to approximately 211,000 deaths worldwide, marking a significant increase of 161% since 1990.
2016: Pimavanserin Approved for Parkinson's Disease Psychosis
The year 2016 marked a significant milestone in treating Parkinson's disease psychosis with the approval of pimavanserin, offering a new therapeutic option for this challenging symptom.
2017: US Economic Burden of Parkinson's Disease Estimated
A 2017 study estimated the economic impact of Parkinson's disease in the United States at $51.9 billion, which included $25.4 billion in direct medical expenses and $26.5 billion in indirect and non-medical costs.
2018: Antibody PRX002/RG7935 Shows Promise in Stage I Trials
In 2018, an antibody called PRX002/RG7935 demonstrated initial safety and efficacy in stage I trials, prompting further investigation in stage II trials.
2019: Uncertain Link Between NSAIDs and Parkinson's Disease
However, by 2019, subsequent meta-analyses failed to confirm the previously suggested link between NSAID use and a reduced risk of Parkinson's disease.
2019: Istradefylline Approved for Parkinson's Treatment in US
In 2019, istradefylline, an antagonist of adenosine receptors, received approval for medical use in the United States as a supplemental treatment option for patients with Parkinson's disease who are already on a levodopa/carbidopa regimen.
2020: Vaccine PD01A Deemed Safe and Tolerable in Phase One Trials
A vaccine designed to help the immune system target and eliminate alpha-synuclein, known as PD01A, entered clinical trials. Initial findings from a phase one study in 2020 indicated that the vaccine was safe and well-tolerated.
2020: Cognitive Training for Parkinson's Disease
In 2020, a Cochrane review found no conclusive evidence to support cognitive training as a beneficial treatment for Parkinson's disease, dementia, or mild cognitive impairment.
2020: New Image for Parkinson's Diversity
To represent the varying levels of severity in Parkinson's disease, a new image was created in 2020, updating the previous illustration from 1886 by William Richard Gowers.
2021: Parkinson's Disease as Fastest-Growing Neurodegenerative Disease
By 2021, Parkinson's disease earned the grim distinction of being the fastest-growing neurodegenerative disease globally, considering both mortality and prevalence rates, emphasizing the urgent need for research and effective treatments.
2022: Search for Disease-Modifying Drugs Continues
As of 2022, the lack of disease-modifying drugs for Parkinson's disease remains a significant challenge, driving intensive research efforts. Current research focuses on various avenues, including developing new animal models, exploring gene therapy, stem cell transplants, and investigating neuroprotective agents. Additionally, to enable earlier intervention, research criteria are being established for identifying prodromal biomarkers.
2023: Parkinson's Disease Progression and Disability
As of 2023, research indicated no direct correlation between the progression of Parkinson's disease and the overall disability experienced. However, the type of disability varied with disease stage, shifting from primarily motor-related to non-motor symptoms.
2023: Benefits of Exercise in Parkinson's Disease
Reviews conducted in 2023 reaffirmed the importance of exercise programs for individuals with Parkinson's disease, demonstrating their efficacy in managing symptoms and improving quality of life.
2024: Classification of Parkinson's Disease
As of 2024, Parkinson's disease classification is based on symptoms, but active research aims to establish a more definitive biological basis for diagnosis.
2024: Causes and Risk Factors of Parkinson's Disease
As of 2024, the exact cause of Parkinson's disease remains unknown. However, it's believed to be a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Age is a primary risk factor.
2024: Genetic Risk Factors in Parkinson's Disease
By 2024, approximately 90 genetic risk variants had been identified in connection with Parkinson's disease, significantly advancing the understanding of its genetic underpinnings.
2024: Rigidity in Parkinson's Disease
In 2024, the cause of rigidity, a common symptom of Parkinson's disease affecting muscle stiffness, remained unclear. Research continues to investigate if it's a distinct biomechanical process or a manifestation of another Parkinson's symptom.
2030: Projected Parkinson's Disease Prevalence in China
Projections for 2030 indicate a concerning trend, with China anticipated to have nearly half of the world's Parkinson's disease population.
2037: Projected Economic Burden of Parkinson's Disease
The total economic burden of Parkinson's disease is projected to exceed $79 billion by 2037, emphasizing the urgent need for interventions to lower incidence rates, slow disease advancement, and alleviate symptoms to mitigate the future economic strain.
2040: Projected Increase in Parkinson's Disease Patients
Looking further ahead to 2040, the number of Parkinson's disease patients is expected to reach approximately 14 million, underlining a global health challenge.