The History of Parkinson's Disease and Famous Patients
- Author:
Keun Tae KIM
1
;
Sooyeoun YOU
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Parkinson disease; History; Famous person
- MeSH: Diagnosis; Famous Persons; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Hypokinesia; Medical Records; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Parkinson Disease; Parkinsonian Disorders; Tremor
- From:Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2019;37(1):20-25
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
- Abstract: BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases. However, the history of PD and famous persons with PD have not been described in detail yet. METHODS: We summarized the history of PD before the first description of James Parkinson's. The four famous patients who were suspected or diagnosed with PD were reviewed through peer-reviewed journals as well as biographies, books, and media. RESULTS: Before the definition of PD was established, there were descriptions of various Parkinsonian symptoms in several literatures. The diagnoses of Adolf Hitler and Na Hyeseok are not certain and we only suspect that they had parkinsonism. The diagnoses of PD of the Pope John Paul II and Muhammad Ali are certain as they had medical records as well as video records that shows progressive deterioration. CONCLUSIONS: Even before James Parkinson, PD have been recognized and described focusing on the bradykinesia and tremor. We should keep in mind that detailed examination as well as transcriptions are important, and that long-term follow-up is needed to document or differentiate PD and its mimics.
