Parkinson's disease, a type of dementia also known as idiopathic or primary parkinsonism, paralysis agitans, or hypokinetic rigid syndrome/HRS, is on the rise in the United States. Every year there are over 60,000 new cases in the United States alone. With the average person diagnosed with Parkinson's disease over the age of 65 and America's rapidly growing elderly population, awareness and concern are becoming significant points of interest for many healthcare providers. Parkinson's disease is caused by the destruction of dopamine-producing nerve cells in the midbrain (Sustantia nigra). These nerve cells are used to coordinate smooth and regular movements of the body. In the absence of these cells, people often experience tremors (shaking or involuntary movement of the limbs). Tremors can affect all parts of the human body and make daily activities difficult. Eating, for example, can be extremely difficult if your hands are constantly twitching. Over the years, companies have developed various solutions to eliminate or minimize these tremors. Initially these solutions were large and bulky and resembled a robotic arm, but over time they became more compact. Using various types of restraints and braces, these contraptions force the patient's tremor to stop. However, it's hard to imagine wearing these uncomfortable devices in public or trying to eat with them in the presence of others. The San Francisco-based company Lift Labs recently developed a type of electronic tool (called Liftware) to help offset the effects of tremors. using stabilization technology. What makes this Lift Labs device different from others is that it doesn't try to eliminate tremor, but rather counteract it. Lift Labs CEO and founder Anupam Pathak developed this menu...... middle of paper for many of his users. Since its release in September 2013, Liftware has proven to be a success with over 1,000 units sold and is now available on popular websites including Amazon. With the increase in Parkinson's disease diagnoses, the demand for stabilizing products is expected to only increase. Seeing this new market emerge, Pathak says this is just the beginning for Lift Labs. With funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and $1 million in seed funding from Silicon Valley angel investors, Lift Labs plans to expand its products in ways never seen before. In the future, Lift Labs plans to produce drinking and grooming solutions with their patented stabilizing technology. Pathak and his team of engineers continue to take advantage of this growing market and work to help give people with Parkinson's disease the chance to lead normal lives.