Following is a list of the primary symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

• Rigidity is an increased stiffness in the muscles. Unless it is temporarily eased by anti-Parkinson's medications, rigidity is always present. However, it increases during movement. It is often responsible for a mask-like expression of the face. In some patients, rigidity leads to sensations of pain, especially in the arms and shoulders.

• Tremor is the symptom the public most often identifies with Parkinson's, b

People with Parkinson's may also suffer from any of a long list of secondary symptoms. These include depression, sleep disturbances, dizziness, stooped posture, constipation, dementia, and problems with speech, breathing, swallowing, and sexual function.

In a nationally televised address yesterday, the first since he took office in January, President Bush backed federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, although only on existing stem cell lines.

Dr. Rocca pointed out that "those are rare families and the majority of cases with PD do not have as clear a transmission." In general, patients are carriers of "susceptible genes," which predispose to the disease but are not sufficient of them to cause Parkinson’s. There is a long list of susceptible genes with 15 or 20 other candidate genes that may play a role in predisposing to Parkinson’s or in causing the disease itself. In a single individual, there is an interaction of these genes with behaviors or environmental exposures, or with other genes, and by the combination you will develop Parkinson’s disease."

Ali's friends and family differ on the origin of his Parkinson's. His biographer, Tom Hauser, who wrote ''Muhammad Ali, His Life and Times,'' attributes it to boxing. His wife said the origin, possibly genetic, is unknown. ''I'm not saying it (boxing) didn't aggravate the situation, but there's no proof that it caused it,'' Lonnie said Ali's doctors have told her.

Some topics in this essay:
, Neurosurgery Psychiatry, Levodopa/carbidopa Sinemet, People Parkinson's, United Australia, Requip COMT, Dr Rocca, Parkinson’s Mutations, Ali's Parkinson's, Michael Fox, parkinson's disease, michael fox, parkinson’s disease, stem cell, cell research, stem cell research, people parkinson's, patients experience, treatment parkinson's disease, onset parkinson’s, dopaminergic system, poor balance, symptoms parkinson's disease,