where did the name parkinson’s disease come from

Parkinson’s disease is named after James Parkinson, a British medical doctor. Here’s the breakdown:

• In 1817: Dr. James Parkinson published a detailed essay titled “An Essay on the Shaking Palsy.” This essay is considered the foundational text for understanding the condition now known as Parkinson’s disease.

• Not Originally Named Parkinson’s: Interestingly, Dr. Parkinson himself did not attach his name to the disease in his essay.

• Credit to Jean-Martin Charcot: It wasn’t until nearly half a century later in 1865 that a French neurologist named Jean-Martin Charcot recognized the importance of Dr. Parkinson’s work. Charcot referred to the disease as “le mal de Parkinson” (Parkinson’s disease in French), and the name stuck.