More Than Tremors: Parkinson's Disease
Introduction:
What can challenge Han Solo, Marty McFly, and Indiana Jones? Parkinson’s disease, a condition that affects approximately 1.1 million people in the United States and 8.5 million worldwide, projecting to exceed 25 million by 2050.
Harrison Ford and Michael J. Fox are collaborating on Season 3 of Apple Tv+ series Shrinking, in which Ford’s character battles Parkinson’s disease. Fox, who has lived with the disease since 1991, plays a fellow patient, bringing authentic and poignant insight into the storyline. Ford has described his role as “daunting, but important”, praising Fox’s courage and grace. For decades, Hollywood largely hid its stars with Parkinson’s, but Fox has become a key figure in raising awareness and representing individuals living with the disease on screen.
What is it?
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that primarily affects dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. Dopamine is an essential neurotransmitter that coordinates movement and regulates motor control. Because the disease involves the gradual loss of these neurons, particularly in the substantia nigra, it is categorized as a movement disorder of the nervous system
With the destruction of dopamine-producing neurons, slowness, tremors, stiffness, and other movement issues develop. Although Parkinson’s follows a general pattern of progression, the experience of living with Parkinson’s over a lifetime is unique from person to person. Parkinson’s affects nearly one million people in the United States and more than six million people worldwide.
Symptoms:
Your brain is calling your body, but the signal keeps breaking up. This metaphor shows how Parkinson’s is not a thinking problem, it’s a signal-delivery problem. Parkinson’s disease symptoms vary from one person to another, often beginning on one side of the body before progressing. Typical symptoms in individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease include tremors, slowed movement (bradykinesia and hypokinesia), rigid muscles, poor posture and balance, loss of automatic movements, speech changes, writing changes, and other nonmotor symptoms.
People with PD can also experience non-motor symptoms that can be even more disruptive than some motor symptoms. These can include depression, anxiety, apathy, hallucinations, constipation, orthostatic hypotension, sleep disorders, loss of sense of smell, and various cognitive impairments.
If you believe that you or a loved one is experiencing these symptoms, see a healthcare professional to help you get a diagnosis and rule out other potential causes.
Causes and Ongoing Research:
The cause of Parkinson’s disease is largely unknown. Most cases are considered sporadic, though genetic and environmental factors are believed to contribute to a moderate extent. Research institutions and foundations centered around Parkinson’s are actively working to investigate the disease and its underlying mechanisms.
Universities including Boston University’s Parkinsons Disease & Movement Disorders Center and University of Michigan’s Udall Center for Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease Research are among many to investigate genetic risk factors, biomarkers, and early detection strategies. Scientists are working to identify biological markers for PD that can lead to earlier diagnosis and individualized treatment approaches aimed at slowing down disease progression.
Progression:
Parkinson’s has 5 typical stages ranging from mild experience of symptoms to severely debilitating symptoms. Progression varies widely from person to person.
Stage One-
Within the first stage, individuals experience mild to no functional symptoms. Some possible symptoms may be slight changes in walking, posture, or facial expressions noticeable only by close friends and family. Tremors and other movement symptoms are here. This stage is also frequently identified with unilateral involvement, meaning that mild symptoms are limited to one side of the body (with minimal or no functional impairment).
Stage Two-
In the second stage of Parkinson’s disease, symptoms begin appearing on both sides of the body (bilateral involvement). Tremors and rigidity become slightly worse, but individuals can remain largely independent. If tremors are noticeable, diagnosis can be easy at stage two. This stage can develop months or years after stage one, again emphasizing the progression of symptoms varying on the case. Some progressive symptoms are the loss of facial expression, speech abnormalities such as slurring, softer voice, monotoned voice, or increase and decrease in voice as you speak, decrease in blinking, and stiffness.
Stage Three-
In the third stage, a decrease in motor characteristics is particularly noticeable, with falls becoming very common at this stage. Daily activities may require more time or additional support as the individual may begin experiencing difficulties with tasks and activities. Diagnosis is even easier in this stage. There is a loss of balance in this stage, becoming the main neurological sign that differentiates it from earlier stages. This also explains the frequent falls.
Stage Four-
The later stage of PD is characterized by symptom progression severely limiting the individual. Movement is greatly impaired and many individuals need assistance with daily tasks due to increased mobility changes. Mobility assistance objects like canes and walkers start being used. These patients are severely disabled, but can still walk and stand unassisted, this distinguishes it from stage 5.
Stage Five-
In the advanced stage of PD, extensive assistance with daily activities is very common. Some individuals may experience neuropsychiatric symptoms such as delusions or hallucinations. These individuals are wheelchair or bed-bound and require extensive care. It is important to keep in mind that not all individuals will reach stage 5. Progression varies from individual to individual, with around the clock care very typical of patients at this stage.
The Parkinson’s foundation has helpful information on their website including an easily digestible video on the stages of Parkinson’s disease.
Treatment:
Treatments for Parkinson’s are intended to help manage symptoms as the condition progresses. Different therapies are recommended at different stages of Parkinson’s disease. Medications including Levodopa and dopamine agonists can help directly with physical symptoms while non-drug interventions, like occupational and speech therapies, also support daily functioning. Early diagnosis is crucial, as it can help slow symptom progression. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms, it is essential to consult a healthcare provider for proper evaluation.
Social Security and Employment Difficulties:
Parkinson’s disease can significantly affect the ability to work by causing moderate to severe motor symptoms that hinder physical tasks. Cognitive issues, including poor concentration, memory loss, and slow decision-making, can also cause workplace performance to decrease. Studies estimate that between 27% and 70% of Parkinson’s disease patients experience premature unemployment.
Applying for Social Security Disability (SSDI) for Parkinson’s disease can be complex. The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not grant benefits based on diagnosis alone, but rather on proof from applicants that symptoms (tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia) substantially limit their ability to work. As a result, these claims are initially denied, often due to insufficient documentation, requiring lengthy appeals.
For individuals seeking guidance, organizations such as Disability Advice provide informational resources outlining the SSDI application process and requirements for qualifying with Parkinson’s disease.
More information can be found at disabilityadvice.org/qualifying-conditions/parkinsons/
Conclusion:
Although Parkinson’s disease presents complex challenges, medically and socially, and ongoing research continues to expand our understanding of its neurological foundations. Behind every diagnosis is an individual navigating a deep personal journey, and continued scientific advancement offers hope for more effective treatments and improved quality of life.
Thank you Dr. Nasr for your input and guidance on this blog article.
Sources:
“Clinical Research.” Clinical Research | Parkinsons Disease & Movement Disorders Center, www.bumc.bu.edu/parkinsonsdisease/research/. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
“Parkinson’s 101.” The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research | Parkinson’s Disease, www.michaeljfox.org/parkinsons-101. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
“Parkinson’s Disease.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 27 Sept. 2024, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20376055.
Sloop, Hope. “Harrison Ford Says He Would Be Content If His ‘shrinking’ Role Bookends His Career: ‘If It Was All over Here, That Would Be Sufficient for Me.’” Decider, Decider, 4 Feb. 2026, decider.com/2026/02/03/harrison-ford-shrinking-end-of-his-career/.
“Stages of Parkinson’s Disease.” Steadiwear Inc, steadiwear.com/blogs/tremor/stages-of-parkinson-disease?utm_term=&utm_campaign=GH-Sales-Pmax-Retargeting-Sep9&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=5536292117&hsa_cam=23002841990&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23006919811&gbraid=0AAAAADAx4S0hHwshqwBtZ4SekRnS0psdS&gclid=CjwKCAiA2PrMBhA4EiwAwpHyC76b7t5v3-FCCY0BDgkRVR1j15k-4hlKhsjs_h1Rva5OjEVa5iuCBhoCY74QAvD_BwE. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease Research | University of Michigan Medical School, medresearch.umich.edu/labs-departments/centers/udall. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
“What Is Parkinson’s?” Edited by Jun Yu, Parkinson’s Foundation, www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/what-is-parkinsons. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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