It was first described by James Parkinson in England in 1817. The disease most often develops after age 50. It affects both men and women and is one of the most common neurologic disorders of the elderly.

The disease itself causes degeneration of nerve fibres. The brain consists of cells called 'Neurons' and their fibres called 'Nerves'. Nerves are like cables and in some conditions, thinning of these cables occur; this is known as degeneration .

Parkinson's disease is caused by progressive deterioration of the nerve cells of the part of the brain that controls finer muscle movements. The reason for the nerve cell deterioration is not known.