Diagnosing Parkinson's
Parkinson’s is difficult to diagnose because there is no specific test for the condition. Symptoms vary from person to person and a number of other illnesses have similar symptoms, which means misdiagnoses can occur.
If you suspect you, or someone you know has Parkinson’s, it is important to see a doctor or neurologist (a doctor who specialises in diseases of the nervous system) soon. Sometimes diagnosis can be confirmed quickly, but it can take months or even years. It is common to have several examinations for a diagnosis to be confirmed.
A possible diagnosis of Parkinson’s may be confirmed when other conditions with similar symptoms have been ruled out, or if the person responds positively to medication for Parkinson’s.
Early treatment depends on early diagnosis, so it is important to take note of the early symptoms of Parkinson’s and seek medical advice as soon as possible.
Early signs of Parkinson's
Early physical signs include the common motor symptoms: tremor, muscle rigidity and slowness. They may also include the following:
- Symptoms starting on one side of the body
- Change in facial expression (staring, lack of blinking)
- Failure to swing one arm when walking
- Stooped posture (flexion)
- Frozen, painful shoulder
- Limping or dragging of one leg
- Numbness, tingling, aching or discomfort in the neck or limbs
- Soft voice
- Small handwriting
- Feeling of internal trembling
- Loss of sense of smell
- Depression or anxiety
Some of these symptoms are quite common and by no means exclusive to Parkinson’s, so if you have some of them, it does not mean you have Parkinson’s.
Seeing a specialist
Finding out you have Parkinson’s can be very difficult. Many people delay visiting their doctor out of fear. However, taking action at an early stage provides the best chance of controlling symptoms and slowing the progress of the disease.
If you decide to see a specialist, it is usually a good idea to take someone with you. You may find it helpful to make notes and write down any questions you have before you go.
Your doctor or specialist will discuss your medical history and examine you thoroughly, looking for the main Parkinson’s symptoms: slowness of movement (bradykinesia), tremor and stiffness and/or difficulty with balance, along with other symptoms. He or she may ask you to write or draw, walk and speak. He or she may also test your sense of smell as loss of this is one of the early signs of Parkinson's.
The doctor may request blood tests to rule out other conditions.
After examining you thoroughly, your doctor may prescribe Parkinson’s medicines for you. If you respond well to this treatment, it would tend to confirm a diagnosis of Parkinson’s, whereas conditions with similar symptoms may not respond as well.
Scanning techniques
Various types of scans can be carried out to examine the anatomy and functioning of the brain and other parts of the nervous system. These can help to distinguish Parkinson’s from other conditions with similar symptoms. Your specialist may recommend one or more of the following scans:
CT (Computerised Tomography) scan
This technique involves X-rays being passed through the body from different angles to build up cross-section pictures of the brain. It may help to rule out vascular disease and tumours as the cause of Parkinson’s-like symptoms.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan
This uses magnetic charges rather than X-rays to form images of the brain or other parts of the body. It may help to distinguish Parkinson’s from Parkinson’s-like conditions such as PSP and MSA.
DaTSCAN™-SPECT scan
This scan is used to identify loss of the dopamine-producing cells in the brain, which leads to Parkinson’s. It can be used to distinguish Parkinson’s from conditions with similar symptoms, such as Essential Tremor.
PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan
This imaging technique can be used to help diagnose Parkinson’s, but as it is more expensive and not as readily available as SPECT, it is mainly used in research.
New imaging techniques are being developed and research is also underway into new blood and skin tests that can detect Parkinson’s, but it may be some years before these become available. It is also hoped that a reliable smell test may be developed, as loss of smell is one of the earliest signs of Parkinson’s.
Content last reviewed: February 2018
Related reading
- 'The importance of good communication in a Parkinson’s diagnosis': a joint film by Parkinson's Europe and Parkinson’s UK - watch video.
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