Tests and Diagnosis for Parkinson's Disease

  • Parkinson Disease
    Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder caused by malfunction and death of nerve cells (neurons) in the brain. Because of the death of nerve cells, people with Parkinson’s don’t have enough of the chemical Dopamine. This causes their movements to slow down. Symptoms get worse over time. An estimated 7 to 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s Disease. These numbers are projected to escalate sharply as more people live longer.   
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 27 October 2015

Diagnosing Parkinson’s

There is no specific test to identify Parkinson’s and it is difficult to diagnose especially in the early stages. The doctor will take note of your medical and neurological history and ask you to perform certain movements and tasks, which is part of the neurological exam. If you have had two of the four main symptoms for a while, the doctor may lean towards a diagnosis of Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s disease must be differentiated from Lewy body dementia as there is common movement related symptoms. But Lewy body dementia is associated with fluctuations or changes in concentration and awareness and recurrent visual hallucinations or delusions. 

To read on how to deal with diagnosis of Parkinson's: http://www.patientsengage.com/conditions/early-stage-parkinsons-dealing-diagnosis 

 

Community
Parkinsons Disease and Movement Disorder PDMDS
Condition
Parkinson Disease

Stories

  • Challenges of Parkinson’s Disease – for patient and caregiver
    Mrs Balasubramaniam has been looking after her husband, 83, who has Parkinson’s Disease, for more than a decade. She shares symptoms, treatments and caregiving tips.   When was your husband diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease? My husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease about 10 to 12 years back, but he probably had symptoms much before that were not very noticeable, such as mild abnormality of gait or sticking out his tongue occasionally. What were the early…
  • Image of a brain in blue colour with half of it submerged in a liquid
    Parkinson’s Disease
    Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by deterioration of nerve cells (neurons) in the part of the brain called the substantia nigra. The death or damage to the nerves and the central nervous system causes deficiency of one of the important chemical neurotransmitter or messengers called dopamine. The lack of or decrease in the dopamine levels hinders the brain from sending signals to other cells within the brain and muscles. Movements tend to slow down or…
  • Patients with Parkinson's Disease often suffer from undiagnosed depression
    Depression is known to be a common symptom of Parkinson's disease, but remains untreated for many patients, according to a new study by Northwestern Medicine investigators in collaboration with the National Parkinson's Foundation (NPF). http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/281162.php

Latest Stories

Booklet