23 Interesting Parkinson's Disease Facts

By Karin Lehnardt, Senior Writer

Published October 18, 2025

Covid-19 triggers the same inflammatory response in the brain as Parkinson's disease. The inflammation sparks a "fire" in the brain that begins a chronic and sustained process of destroying neurons._[4]
Those who lose weight soon after a Parkinson's diagnoses are more likely to decline in cognitive ability thatn those who don't have immediate weight changes._[13]
Parkinson's disease affects about 1 million people in the United States._[7]
A hormone secreted during exercise reduces a protein linked to Parkinson's disease and stops movement problems in mice._[7]

The AI system monitors a person's breath patterns to detect PD

Scientists have created an AI program that can predict if someone has Parkinson's Disease from their nocturnal breathing. The program is able to detect the severity of the disease and track the progression._[3]
Parkinson's disease is the fastest-growing neurological disease in the world, and it is the second-most common neurological disorder, after Alzheimers._[3]
Endurance exercise has been shown to alleviate symptoms of Parkinson's disease._[7]
In the U.S., Parkinson's has an economic burden of $51.9 billion._[3]
Older adults who begin to have bad dreams or nightmares could be showing the earliest signs of Parkinson's disease._[5]
Parkinson's Disease is hinders vocal production, which makes someone with Parkinson's Disease have a soft, monotonous voice. These voice changes can occur decades before movement-related symptoms._[11]
Sufferers of Parkinson's Disease who eat more flavonoids, which are compounds found in richly colored food, such as red wine, berries, and cocoa have a lower mortality risk than those who don't._[8]

Wearing a red tulip shows support of those suffering from Parkinson's Disease

Over 10 million people in the world are living with Parkinson's Disease._[8]
Parkinson's Disease is caused by the brain not making enough dopamine, which leads to immobility, stiffness, and tremors._[13]
Famous people who suffer from Parkinson's Disease include Alan Alda, Muhammad Ali, George H. W. Bush, Neil Diamond, Michael J. Fox, Billy Graham, Ian Holm, Jesse Jackson, Ozzy Osbourne, Janet Reno, and Linda Ronstadt._[10]
Men are an estimated 1.5 times more likely to develop Parkinson's Disease than women._[12]
While most cases of Parkinson's Disease do not appear to be genetic, some cases do have an inheritance pattern that involve specific altered genes._[12]
Research shows environmental links to Parkinson's Disease, such as exposure to pesticide and herbicides, as well as metals and organic pollutants._[12]
Repeated head injuries can increase the risk of Parkinson's disease._[12]

James Parkinson was the first to medically describe Parkinson's disease, but descriptions of the disease can be found in ancient texts

Parkinson's symptoms were described as early as ancient Egypt and biblical times._[2]
Caffeine helps decrease risk of developing Parkinson's, and it can help control movement in those who suffer from Parkinson's disease._[1]
China is estimated to have nearly half of all Parkinson's cases in the world by 2030._[9]
Actor Michael J. Fox has greatly increased public awareness of Parkinson's disease._[6]
Parkinson's disease rates have been increasing in both sexes, but mainly among men._[12]