Parkinson's Disease: Testing and Diagnosis

Shaky hands, slowed movement, loss of balance and severe stiffness – these symptoms affect more than 200,000 people in the United States per year that are suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is an incurable central nervous system disorder that typically affects individuals over the age of forty, but can appear at any stage of life.

If you find that you are suffering from the symptoms listed above, it may be time to seek help from a physician.

Parkinson's Disease: Testing and Diagnosis

Following a visit to a primary care physician, the physician will recommend that the individual suffering from these symptoms see a neurologist or a physician that is specialized in the brain and nervous system. The neurologist will then perform an assessment of the individual’s symptoms.

Currently, there are no specific tests that can diagnose a person with Parkinson’s disease. Despite this, there are ways that a physician can prove the individual is, indeed, suffering from the nervous system disorder.

Examine the Patient’s Medical History

A detailed examination of the individual’s medical past can determine similarities and commonalities between himself and other patient’s that have Parkinson’s disease. Furthermore, certain medications can lead patients to experience hand tremors, shakiness and other symptoms similar to those of Parkinson’s disease.

Perform a Neurological Examination

This is a test in which the neurologist will ask the patient to perform tasks to determine the functionality of his or her arms, legs, balance, muscles and controlled movement.

Order Blood Tests

Despite the fact that no blood test will be able to tell the physician whether or not the patient is suffering from Parkinson’s disease, it will be able to rule out other disorders with similar symptoms.

Utilize Imaging Tests

PET scans, DAT scans, CAT scans and other imaging tests can help a physician differentiate between other neurological disorders with similar symptoms and Parkinson’s disease.

Assess the Patient’s Response to Medication

If the physician prescribes medications that are common for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, and the individual’s symptoms lessen, it may be a sign that he or she is suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Alone, this test is not enough to tell whether or not someone has the disorder.

Use of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale

The neurologist will enter all test results and symptoms into this universal scale, that helps physicians determine whether or not an individual is suffering from Parkinson’s disease. This scale also allows the physician to monitor the progression of the symptoms.

The Future of Parkinson’s Disease Testing

While there are no tests that can exclusively determine whether or not an individual is suffering from Parkinson’s disease, there are new advances in this field of study every year. Researchers are constantly searching for a way that blood and imaging tests can determine whether or not an individual is suffering from this neurological disease. Similarly, a test to determine the likelihood of assimilating the disease is on the horizon and will help thousands of people proactively fight the disease each year.