UF Neurologist Explains in The Conversation Ozzy Osbourne’s Parkinson’s Disease

University of Florida neurologist, Dr. Michael Okun explains Ozzy Osbourne’s type of Parkinson’s disease, the condition and evolving treatments in The Conversation.

For many, hearing the word “Parkinson’s” conjures an image of tremors. But Parkinson’s disease, brought about by the loss of nerve and other brain cells, is actually an incredibly complex movement disorder that can cause symptoms as wide-ranging as smell loss, thinking issues, depression and swallowing problems. More than 1 million people in the U.S. have the illness, and millions more loved ones and caregivers are affected by it, too.

Rocker Ozzy Osbourne announced Jan. 21, 2020 that he has a type of Parkinson’s called Parkin, named after the gene associated with this type of Parkinson’s. Parkin is involved in maintaining the energy-producing area of cells, called mitochondria. This type of the disease often responds well to deep brain stimulation.

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