In 1817, James Parkinson published an essay on six cases of paralysis agitans known as Shaking Palsy. Other neurologists that furthered the knowledge of the disease include Armand Trousseau, Wilhelm Heinrich Erb, Sir William Richard Gowers, Jean-Martin Charcot and Kinnier Wilson. Charcot’s studies were a landmark in understanding the disease.

Among other advances, he made the distinction between rigidity, weakness and bradykinesia. Charcot also suggested renaming of the disease in honor of James Parkinson.