The last straw: how stress can unmask Parkinson's disease

What is it about?

This article describes the story of two people whose Parkinson's disease started right after they experienced a very stressful event. In both cases, this manifested as a tremor (trembling of the hand) that did not go away after the event. Later, they developed other Parkinson's symptoms. This does not mean that stress caused the disease, but it seems as if such a stressful event can give the "final push." These cases are often not immediately recognized as Parkinson's, causing a delay in getting the right treatment. We cannot fully explain this phenomenon yet, but the same has been observed in animal models of Parkinson's. What is particularly intriguing is that the symptoms do not disappear after the stressful event is over, suggesting that lasting changes have occurred in the brain.

Featured Image

Photo by Sander Sammy on Unsplash

Photo by Sander Sammy on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This article is important because it highlights a critical aspect of Parkinson's disease that is often overlooked: the role of stress in triggering the onset of symptoms. It underscores the need for greater awareness among healthcare professionals to avoid misdiagnosis and delays in treatment, and to discuss possible feelings of guilt that might be present in patients and their loved ones.