SCIENCE IN THE NEWS - Parkinson's Disease

SCIENCE IN THE NEWS – November 19, 2002: Parkinson’s Disease

By Oliver Chanler

VOICE ONE:
This is Bob Doughty¹.
VOICE TWO:
And this is Steve Ember with Science in the News, a VOA Special English program about recent developments

in science. Today, we tell about Parkinson’s disease, a disorder² of the central nervous system.
((THEME)
)
VOICE ONE:

When he was elected pope³ in nineteen-seventy-eight, Karol Wojtyla almost
immediately changed the traditional image of the leader of the Roman Catholic⁴
Church. He was known as a man who liked athletic⁵ activities. Pope John Paul the
Second swam and walked great distances. He looked like an athlete, showing great
energy and power in all his movements.

Boxer⁶ Muhammad Ali also showed great energy and power in all his movements as
he became the boxing champion of the world. He was probably one of the greatest
athletes of the twentieth century.

However, as they grew older, both men began to change. Their power and energy began to disappear. Their
movements became slower. Their faces seemed to be made of stone. Although age makes all people lose the
energy they had when they were younger, it was not age that changed these two men so much. Their physical
changes were caused by a sickness known as Parkinson’s disease.

VOICE TWO:

Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the central nervous system. It is a progressive disease that makes its victims
increasingly unable to move. The disease affects a small area of cells in the middle of the brain called the
substantia nigra. The cells slowly lose their ability to produce a chemical called dopamine. The decrease in the
amount of dopamine can result in one or more of the general signs or symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

These symptoms include shaking of the arm or leg on one side of the body, general slowness of movement, or
severe difficulty in moving the arms and legs. Another symptom is difficulty walking and keeping balanced while
standing⁸ or walking.

Other signs observed in some people with Parkinson’s disease include restricted or decreased movement of the
face. Also, victims of the disease may feel extremely sad or worried. Victims may swallow less often than
normal. And they may have difficulty forming words while talking.

((MUSIC BRIDGE))

VOICE ONE:

The disease is named after James Parkinson. He was a British doctor who first described the disease in eighteen-
seventeen. But Doctor Parkinson did not know what caused it.

During the nineteen-sixties, medical researchers discovered chemical and other changes in the brains of people
suffering from the disease. These discoveries led to medicines to treat Parkinson’s disease. However, the cause
of the disease is still a mystery.


Most people have what is called idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. Idiopathic means that the cause is unknown.
Patients who develop the disease attempt to link it to some cause they can identify. These can include an
accident, a medical operation, or extreme emotional problems.

Most doctors, however, reject the idea of any direct link between these events or problems and Parkinson’s
disease. The doctors point to other people who have similar problems and do not develop a movement disorder
such as Parkinson’s disease. However, doctors say such events or problems may cause signs of the disease to be
seen earlier than normal.

VOICE TWO:

Although the causes of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease remain a mystery, there are other forms of Parkinson’s
disease. Some medicines used to treat other problems can cause movement disorders⁹ similar to Parkinson’s
disease. These include medicines used to treat older people who see things that do not exist. And they include
drugs used to treat people suffering from extreme tension or from stomach problems.

VOICE ONE:

The disease encephalitis also can cause movement problems and other disorders like those of Parkinson’s
disease. In the early Twentieth Century, encephalitis spread to many parts of the world. Many victims of the
disease had symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease. This led to widespread scientific investigations¹⁰ into the
possibility that a virus caused Parkinson’s disease. However, no evidence was found to support this theory. One
clear reason for rejecting the theory is that Parkinson’s disease cannot be passed from one person to another the
way other viral diseases can.

VOICE TWO:

Another common theory was that the disease could be passed by parents to their children. There are some cases
of many members of families having the disease. However, there is no evidence that there is a gene⁷ linked to
idiopathic Parkinson’s disease.

Most of those suffering from the disease are older people. It reportedly affects one of every one-hundred people
over sixty years old. However, fifteen percent of patients develop the disease before they are fifty years old. Also,
it affects men a little more often than it affects women. And Parkinson’s disease can be found among people in
all parts of the world.

((MUSIC BRIDGE))

VOICE ONE:

Parkinson’s disease does not usually cause death for those suffering from the condition. New treatments to ease
symptoms of the disease make it possible for many patients to continue to live almost normally. Patients who
have lost their ability to do many things may be able to regain¹¹ some of their old abilities with treatment.

The most commonly used drug to treat the disease is levodopa. When it reaches the brain, levodopa is changed to
dopamine. It replaces the natural substance dopamine, which is lacking in Parkinson’s disease patients.
Although levodopa helps deal with the signs of the disease, it does not prevent more changes in the brain caused
by the disease. Also, levodopa can produce bad effects in some people. These side effects include feeling
extremely sick to the stomach. To prevent this from happening, other substances can be combined with levodopa.

Most other drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease are designed to increase the amount of dopamine in the
brain.

VOICE TWO:

Other methods to treat Parkinson’s disease include operating. One operation is called a pallidotomy. It was used
often in the past to treat the disease. However, it was used less often after the discovery of levodopa. More
recently, improved medical technology has increased the chances of successful pallidotomies. The operation
involves placing electrical devices directly on the brain. These devices target cells in the areas that cause
unwanted movements of the body. The most serious risk from this treatment is the possibility of the patient


suffering a stroke.

VOICE ONE:

The most recent development in treatment of Parkinson’s disease is brain tissue transplants¹². This involves
replacing tissue in areas of the brain that cause symptoms of the disease. Early experiments involved using brain
tissue from unborn babies. Doctors said the method appeared to have highly successful results.

However, the experiment became a subject of moral debates among politicians and religious groups opposed to
abortions¹³, the ending of unwanted pregnancies¹⁴. Researchers have begun working with genetically¹⁵ changed cells
and different animal cells that can be made to produce dopamine.

Still, most doctors agree that such operations should be considered only after it is clear that drugs are not
effective in dealing¹⁶ with the signs of Parkinson’s disease.

VOICE TWO:

There is no way to prevent or cure Parkinson’s disease. So, the victims of the disease need help in many ways.
Also, husbands or wives, children, and friends of people with Parkinson’s disease need special help and
guidance. Throughout the world, there are organizations that provide education and support services for patients
and their families learning to live with the disease. As with many mysterious diseases, understanding and care
can help make a major difference.

((THEME))

VOICE ONE:

This SCIENCE IN THE NEWS program was written by Oliver Chanler. It was produced by Cynthia Kirk. This
is Bob Doughty.

VOICE TWO:

And this is Steve Ember. Join us again next week for more news about science in Special English on the Voice of
America.

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1 doughty   

adj.勇猛的，坚强的

参考例句：

• Most of successful men have the characteristics of contumacy and doughty.绝大多数成功人士都有共同的特质：脾气倔强，性格刚强。
• The doughty old man battled his illness with fierce determination.坚强的老人用巨大毅力与疾病作斗争。

2 disorder   

n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调

参考例句：

• When returning back,he discovered the room to be in disorder.回家后，他发现屋子里乱七八糟。
• It contained a vast number of letters in great disorder.里面七零八落地装着许多信件。

3 pope   

n.（罗马天主教的）教皇

参考例句：

• The Pope is the spiritual leader of many Christians.教皇是众多基督徒的宗教领袖。
• The Pope is the supreme leader of the Roman Catholic Church.教皇是罗马天主教的最高领袖。

4 catholic   

adj.天主教的；n.天主教徒

参考例句：

• The Pope is the supreme leader of the Roman Catholic Church.教皇是罗马天主教的最高领袖。
• She was a devoutly Catholic.她是一个虔诚地天主教徒。

5 athletic   

adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的

参考例句：

• This area has been marked off for athletic practice.这块地方被划出来供体育训练之用。
• He is an athletic star.他是一个运动明星。

6 boxer   

n.制箱者，拳击手

参考例句：

• The boxer gave his opponent a punch on the nose.这个拳击手朝他对手的鼻子上猛击一拳。
• He moved lightly on his toes like a boxer.他像拳击手一样踮着脚轻盈移动。

7 gene   

n.遗传因子，基因

参考例句：

• A single gene may have many effects.单一基因可能具有很多种效应。
• The targeting of gene therapy has been paid close attention.其中基因治疗的靶向性是值得密切关注的问题之一。

8 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

9 disorders   

n.混乱( disorder的名词复数 )；凌乱；骚乱；（身心、机能）失调

参考例句：

• Reports of anorexia and other eating disorders are on the increase. 据报告，厌食症和其他饮食方面的功能紊乱发生率正在不断增长。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The announcement led to violent civil disorders. 这项宣布引起剧烈的骚乱。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 investigations   

（正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究

参考例句：

• His investigations were intensive and thorough but revealed nothing. 他进行了深入彻底的调查，但没有发现什么。
• He often sent them out to make investigations. 他常常派他们出去作调查。

11 regain   

vt.重新获得，收复，恢复

参考例句：

• He is making a bid to regain his World No.1 ranking.他正为重登世界排名第一位而努力。
• The government is desperate to regain credibility with the public.政府急于重新获取公众的信任。

12 transplants   

n.（器官、皮肤、头发等的）移植( transplant的名词复数 )；移植的器官，移植物

参考例句：

• The heart transplants have been read about and discussed everywhere. 人们已读到关于心脏移植的报道，到处都在议论此事。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• A number of terms are used in various classifications of transplants. 移植物的各种分类中应用了一系列的名词。 来自辞典例句

13 abortions   

n.小产( abortion的名词复数 )；小产胎儿；（计划）等中止或夭折；败育

参考例句：

• The Venerable Master: By not having abortions, by not killing living beings. 上人：不堕胎、不杀生。 来自互联网
• Conclusion Chromosome abnormality is one of the causes of spontaneous abortions. 结论：染色体异常是导致反复自然流产的原因之一。 来自互联网

14 pregnancies   

怀孕，妊娠( pregnancy的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Since the wartime population needed replenishment, pregnancies were a good sign. 最后一桩倒不失为好现象，战时人口正该补充。
• She's had three pregnancies in four years. 她在四年中怀孕叁次。

15 genetically   

adv.遗传上

参考例句：

• All the bees in the colony are genetically related. 同一群体的蜜蜂都有亲缘关系。
• Genetically modified foods have already arrived on American dinner tables. 经基因改造加工过的食物已端上了美国人的餐桌。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 基因与食物

16 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。