Dr. Xiang Gao, a Harvard Medical School research scientist, released data this week suggesting that the use of ibuprofen may be associated with a decreased risk of Parkinson's disease. The data were highlighted in the current issue of Neurology.

What is Parkinson's disease?

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder which affects the motor functions of the body. according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, there are four primary symptoms, and these include:

* Tremor of the hands, face, jaw, arms or legs

* Rigid or stiff extremities and torso

* slow movements (also called bradykinesia)

* Lack of balance and coordination of movements

What are the risk factors for Parkinson's disease?

Parkinson's disease affects persons over the age of 50 in most instances, and the risk increases the older one is. Men develop the disease more often than women, and the risk increases for those with close relatives who have Parkinson's disease. The Mayo Clinic reports that those who work continually with pesticides and herbicides are also more prone to this disease.

What causes Parkinson's disease?

According to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, close to a million people in the United States have Parkinson's disease. although the cause is unknown, research has uncovered changes in the brains of those with the disease. When a specific group of dopamine-producing brain cells die, the symptoms of Parkinson's disease occur. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter which sends messages to the areas of the brain which control movement and coordination. With less dopamine, the speed of the messages is much slower, causing the symptoms described above.

Another change in the brain is damage to the sympathetic nerve endings that release the chemical messenger, norepinephrine, which affects blood pressure. When examined during autopsy, these brains also show the presence of unusual clumps of protein called Lewy bodies, and their function is unclear.

What medications are available for Parkinson's disease?

Physicians prescribe medications to those diagnosed with Parkinson's disease to help alleviate the symptoms, as none of the medications cure Parkinson's disease. There are various classes of drugs used, and these include Carbidopa/Levodopa therapy, Dopamine Agonists, Anticholinergics, MAO-B Inhibitors, and COMT Inhibitors.

Although it was discovered 40 years ago, levodopa remains the most effective medication for Parkinson's disease, with 70 percent to 80 percent of patients taking this medication. Physicians prescribe it in combination with another drug, carbidopa, and the resultant medication is called Sinemet. Levodopa actually is a naturally occurring substance in the body and once it enters the brain can convert into dopamine by an enzyme. it is combined with carbidopa, to prevent the levodopa from converting too soon to dopamine, prior to entering the brain.

Margie Miklas is a critical-care nurse with more than 30 years experience. She currently works in south Florida in a cardiovascular ICU with a specialty certification in cardiac surgery.