About Parkinson’s Disease

Diagnosis

A neurologist who can evaluate symptoms and their severity usually diagnoses Parkinson’s disease. There is not a test that can clearly identify the disease. Many times people eventually diagnosed with PD have had symptoms for several months or even years. Sometimes, people with suspected PD are given anti-Parkinson’s drugs to see if they respond. Other tests, such as brain scans, can help doctors decide if a patient has true Parkinson’s disease or some other disorder that resembles it. Microscopic structures called Lewy bodies, which can be seen only during an autopsy, are regarded as a hallmark of classical Parkinson’s. Referrals to neurologists and movement disorder specialists are available by contacting the Information & Referral Center at 1-800-493-2842.