Parkinson’s disease damages special nerve cells (neurons) in the brain. These cells make a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine helps the body control movement.
In Parkinson’s, these neurons make less and less dopamine over time. This makes it harder to move, remember things, and control mood. Doctors do not yet know what causes this damage.
Risk Factors
The biggest risk factors for Parkinson’s disease are age and family history.
- The risk of Parkinson’s goes up with age. People in their 70s and 80s are most likely to get it. About 1 in every 500 adults in this age group has the disease.
- Up to 15 percent of people with Parkinson’s have a parent or sibling who also had it.
- People who have had long exposure to pesticides, work in welding, or are exposed to a metal called manganese also have a higher risk. These things probably don’t directly cause Parkinson’s, but they may raise the chance of getting it.
Last Updated May 2026