Parkinson's disease is a chronic, degenerative illness caused by the loss of dopamine-producing cells in the brain. Its main symptoms include tremors, slow movement, and muscle stiffness. While its exact causes are unknown, it mainly affects those over 65. Treatment focuses on dopamine replacement via L-Dopa medication. Alzheimer's disease was first identified in 1901 and slowly destroys memory and cognitive skills by forming plaques and tangles that damage neurons. It progresses from mild memory loss to severe impairment, eventually preventing communication. While its causes are unknown, genetic and lifestyle factors may play a role. Current treatments focus on managing symptoms rather than finding a cure.

1. PARKINSON
&
ALZHEIMER

2. PARKINSON
• It was discovered by James Parkinson in 1817.
• Chronic and degenerative illness.
•Their causes are not recognised and it affects mainly 65 or more years
old people.

3. PARKINSON
• Destruction of cells located on the “black substance”.
It is located on the brain
region in charge of producing
“dopamine”
Neurotransmitter
responsible for
movements.
• High percent of black substance is took out  neuronal loss 
dopamine loss

4. PARKINSON
Symptoms:
• Neck, back and extremities pain.
• Appearance of:
Trembling: first symptom in 70 % of cases, it’s normally started in a
hand and transmitted to head and lower extremities.
•
It is reduced with dream and movements, and incremented with
stress.
Bradykinesia: slowness of movement, loss of capacity to get
voluntary movements. Loss of upper extremities. Language
variations, weak voice. Difficulties in normal life.
•
Muscle stiffness: produced due to extremity movements
resistance.
•
It’s painful and produces muscle contractures and normally
concerns to cervical muscles producing cogwheel rigidity.

5. PARKINSON
The patient normally takes this posture:
Trembling
Flex head
Flex
Body
Drawn up
knees

6. PARKINSON
Some of the other common symptoms are:
• Dementia.
• Depression.
• Excessive salivation.
• Postural hypotension.
• Reduction in blinking.
• Sleep disorders.

7. PARKINSON
Treatment:
• L-dopa: It’s used to improve bradykinesia and muscle stiffness. In
some cases it also improve trembling.
The aim is to extend the treatment until the patient needs it to get
his diary life.
It normally produces an improvement in 80 % during first five years,
then the patient normally has difficulties.
The life expectancy after treatment is about 20 and 30 years.
• Surgery: it’s really dangerous and only indicated in 70 or less years
old patients, with important symptoms and secondary effects in
medications.

8. ALZHEIMER
• First case was identified by Alois Alzheimer in 1901.
•Irreversible and progressive illness referred to brain and its capacities.
• Slowly, it destroys memory, critical-thinking skills and capacity of doing
easier works.

9. ALZHEIMER
Symptoms:
• Memory loss.
Shrunk brain
• Difficulties in language.
• Unpredictable behaviour.
• Plaques in the brain
­ Loss of connexion between neurons and brain.
­ Healthy neurons start working bad.
• Tangles in the brain
­ Finally they die.
It is extended to the hippocampus.
Essential for memories.

10. ALZHEIMER
Main types of Alzheimer:
• Mild Alzheimer: people are recognised during this period.
•
To be lost in streets.
•
Difficulties in money management.
•
Repeat the same thing more than once.

11. ALZHEIMER
• Moderate Alzheimer:
•
Damage produced un brain areas referred to language.
•
Rational and conscious thought.
•
Sensory processing.
•
Memory and confusion are incremented.
•
Patients start having problems recognising their families.
•
Hallucinations, ravings and impulsive behaviours are possible.

12. ALZHEIMER
• Severe Alzheimer:
•
Plaques and tangles totally extended
•
Patients can’t communicate.
•
Patients depend totally on someone.

brain and tissues shrunk

13. ALZHEIMER
• Causes aren’t known.
• Maybe causes include genetic and ambient factors and lifestyle.
•Symptoms appeared between 10 and 20 years before we can see
them.
•It’s a complex illness and there is not an effective treatment.
• Treatments are concentrated in behaviour helps and they try to
prevent the disease.