Parkinson's and Parkinsonism
Parkinson's disease (PD) is part of an umbrella of conditions known as Parkinsonism. The main symptoms of Parkinson's are also the main symptoms of a number of conditions which are grouped together under the term 'parkinsonism'. Parkinson's disease is the most common form and is sometimes referred to as idiopathic Parkinson's disease, which means its cause is not clearly known.
There are no special tests that can prove absolutely whether someone has a PD or other Parkinsonism syndrome. Thus diagnosis is usually based on clinical examination and medical history.
People with typical Parkinson's disease usually should show an initial good response to levodopa. People with other causes of Parkinsonism, on the other hand usually do not respond as well.
When this is the case, the terms 'Parkinsonian syndrome', 'atypical parkinsonism' or 'Parkinson's plus' may be used by the doctor. Symptoms that allow the doctor to make a specific diagnosis may only appear as the condition develops.
Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorder Society, India provides support and information for all people with parkinsonism not only those with Parkinson's, so people with an alternative diagnosis can join the Society and use our services.
Some such conditions are listed below. This list is not exhaustive, however we have tried to include as many conditions on it as possible;
- Diffuse Lewy Body Disorder
- Cortico Basal Ganglionic Degeneration (CBGD)
- Multiple System Atrophy - (now diagnosed as MSA-P and MAS-C) which include;
- Striato Nigral Degeneration (SND),
- Sporadic Olivo Ponto Cerebellar Atrophy (OPCA),
- Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
- Secondary Causes of parkinsonism
- Drug - induced Parkinsonism
- Post encephalitic Parkinsonism
- Arterio scelerotic Parkinsonism
- Symptomatic Parkinsonism