Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder primarily characterized by motor dysfunction, but it also encompasses a broad range of non-motor symptoms. First described by James Parkinson in 1817 in his work An Essay on the Shaking Palsy, the disease has since been further elaborated upon by Jean-Martin Charcot, who distinguished it from other similar conditions. PD predominantly affects movement, manifesting as tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), and postural instability, which typically emerge as the disease advances. Although motor symptoms are the hallmark of PD, it is now recognized that non-motor symptoms such as cognitive decline, depression, and autonomic dysfunction often precede motor features and significantly affect the patient's quality of life.
Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease, with a prevalence ranging from 0.5% to 1% among people aged 65 to 69 years and increasing to 1–3% in those aged 80 years and older. The global incidence and prevalence of PD are expected to rise by over 30% by 2030 due to an aging population, making it a growing public health concern. This increase in prevalence will have significant social and economic implications, including both direct healthcare costs and indirect costs such as loss of productivity and the burden on caregivers.
