Corporate Magazine 2012 - Boehringer Ingelheim

Diseases of the central nervous systemMental and neurological diseases, such as depressionand Parkinson’s disease, significantly impact patientsand their families, and are a substantial burden to society.Parkinson’s diseaseParkinson’s disease (PD) is a degenerative disorder ofthe central nervous system. Patients usually notice motorsymptoms, like hand tremor (shaking), as their firstsign of the disease, which progresses eventually to includeshaking of the arms, legs or head. Other motorsymptoms that may develop over time include stiffnessthat often results in loss of facial expression and agradual slowing or loss of motion or “freezing”. About30 – 40% of patients also suffer from non-motor symptomsassociated with PD, such as dementia, depressionand sleep disorders. The primary symptoms are theresult of a lack of the neurotransmitter dopamine indistinct areas of the human brain.Restless legs syndrome (RLS)Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurologicaldisorder characterised by an uncontrollable urge tomove the legs, primarily occuring in the evening andnight hours, usually accompanied by unpleasant andsometimes painful sensations in the legs as well as disturbedsleep resulting in daytime tiredness or sleepiness.The sensations are felt deep within the legs and aredescribed as creeping, crawling or aching.72Boehringer Ingelheim annual report 2012