James Parkinson first systematically described Parkinson's disease in 1817.
Discovery Details
James Parkinson, an English surgeon and apothecary, published An Essay on the Shaking Palsy , detailing six cases of what he called "paralysis agitans," characterized by resting tremors, rigidity, and gait issues. He observed patients both in his practice and on the street, distinguishing it as a progressive condition.
Naming the Disease
French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot later renamed it "Parkinson's disease" around 1860-1870, refining the description and popularizing the term. Earlier figures like Galen noted tremors, but Parkinson provided the first comprehensive clinical account.
