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Overview
In Parkinson disease, the production of a brain chemical called dopamine becomes irregular and inadequate, and nerve cells cannot properly transmit messages. This results in the loss of muscle function.
By providing an even, adequate supply of medication that the body converts into dopamine, neurons are able to transmit messages, and tremors decrease.
Review Date 1/23/2022
Updated by: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.