Parkinson's disease is a neurogenerative disorder that affects predominately the dopamine-producing (dopaminergic) neurons in the brain. People suffering from it face problems in motor movement, tremors, stiffness, and impaired balance. As symptoms progress, people may have difficulty walking, talking, or completing other simple tasks.What Happens To Your Brain In Parkinson's Disease?Parkinson's Disease affects various brain regions but the primary symptoms arise from the degeneration of neurons in the substantia nigra, a region near the brain's base. This area is crucial for producing dopamine, a chemical messenger essential for smooth and purposeful movement. Research indicates that by the time Parkinson's symptoms become evident, patients have typically lost 60 to 80% or more of these dopamine-producing neurons.Additionally, individuals with Parkinson’s disease experience a reduction in nerve endings that produce norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter responsible for regulating many involuntary bodily functions, such as heart rate and blood pressure. This loss may account for some non-movement-related symptoms of Parkinson’s, such as fatigue and fluctuations in blood pressure.Parkinson’s disease also involves the presence of Lewy bodies—abnormal deposits of the protein alpha-synuclein within affected brain cells. While the exact role of Lewy bodies in Parkinson’s is still unclear, some research suggests that disruptions in the cell’s protein disposal system may lead to the accumulation of harmful protein levels, eventually causing cell death. Other studies propose that these protein clumps could contribute to the degeneration of neurons in the disease.Is Parkinson's Disease Infectious?Researchers do not deny that infections can lead to Parkinson's disease. However, more evidence is required to establish a connection between the two. At present, scientists are investigating a range of viruses and infectants to find their link with Parkinson's disease. The list encompasses:Epstein-Barrinfluenza A (flu)varicella-zosterherpes-simplexWest NileHIVHepatitis CViral Risk Factors For Parkinson's DiseaseBesides infections, researchers are also trying to find out if previous illnesses can lead to Parkinson's disease. These are the findings that have been made:People who get the flu vaccination may be less likely to get Parkinson’s disease than people who don’t.People with higher levels of the herpes simplex virus in their bodies may have more severe Parkinson’s disease symptoms.People with Parkinson’s are more likely to have had the Epstein-Barr virus than the general population.People with a history of hepatitis C may be more likely to get Parkinson’s disease than others.Parkinson's Disease Could Begin In Gut: StudyA new study, published by researchers at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, adds to the growing evidence that Parkinson's disease may begin in the gut rather than in the brain. According to the researchers, gastrointestinal problems are common among people with neurodegenerative disorders. Individuals with Parkinson's disease often experience complications such as constipation, drooling, difficulty swallowing, and delayed stomach emptying weeks before motor symptoms appear.