What tests are done for Parkinson's disease?

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on September 21, 2024
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Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disease of the nervous system. Many patients report that numerous examinations did not identify a clear cause of the disease, which is typical of this condition due to the lack of very effective diagnostic methods. Patients' symptoms gradually worsen, manifesting as motor slowness, limb tremors, muscle rigidity, and other clinical signs. There are also symptoms such as constipation and dizziness. Generally, the following examinations are recommended for Parkinson's disease: First, complete a cranial MRI scan. The primary purpose of a cranial MRI is to exclude other causes of Parkinson's-like symptoms, such as cerebral thrombosis, brain tumors, or inflammation. Second, perform olfactory tests, as some patients may experience a significant reduction in their sense of smell early on. Third, conduct induced sleep monitoring, since some patients may have prominent sleep disorders. Additionally, it is suggested to perform striatal dopaminergic transporter imaging, a type of DAT scan. Although this scan is quite expensive, it can clearly reflect the function of the striatum.

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Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
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The causes of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease, also known as tremor paralysis, is a common neurodegenerative disorder. The cause of Parkinson's disease is not yet clear, but it may be related to several factors, such as aging, genetics, and environmental factors. Since Parkinson's disease is the result of multiple factors, including abnormal protein aggregation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, inflammation, and excitotoxicity of glutamate, these elements lead to the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of the midbrain and a reduction in dopamine neurotransmitters in the striatum. This ultimately results in the patient's bradykinesia, muscle rigidity, and resting tremor.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Where to treat Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is a very common neurodegenerative disease in neurology. Therefore, if Parkinson's disease is suspected, treatment can be sought in the neurology department, which is available in most hospitals. Many neurologists have extensive experience in treating Parkinson's disease. The treatment primarily includes medication and surgery. Medication therapy mainly refers to the administration of anticholinergic drugs or dopamine receptor agonists, as well as preparations of Levodopa. These medications can help improve symptoms, such as reducing muscle rigidity and tremors. Surgical treatment mainly refers to deep brain stimulation, which is suitable for patients who have been clearly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease for over five years and whose primary symptom is tremor, without significant dementia.

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Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
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What should be avoided in the diet for Parkinson's disease?

For patients with Parkinson's disease, we advocate comprehensive treatment and full-course management. Drug treatment is the core treatment method, while surgical treatment can supplement drug therapy. Physical rehabilitation and psychological therapy should also be conducted. What should patients with Parkinson's disease avoid eating? Generally, patients with Parkinson's disease are prone to constipation. Therefore, we should avoid consuming spicy and greasy foods that may lead to constipation, and try to eat vegetables and fruits to keep the bowel movements regular.

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Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
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Does Parkinson's disease cause dizziness?

For patients with Parkinson's disease, the clinical symptoms are mainly divided into two categories: motor symptoms and non-motor symptoms. Among the non-motor symptoms, dysfunctions in autonomic nervous regulation can manifest as orthostatic hypotension, which generally occurs in the middle to late stages of Parkinson's disease. The main manifestation is a continuous drop in systolic blood pressure by more than 30mmHg, or diastolic blood pressure by more than 15mmHg within three minutes of the patient moving from a lying or sitting position to a standing position. This can lead to general fatigue, dizziness or light-headedness, slow thinking, and even fainting. Therefore, when patients with Parkinson’s disease experience dizziness, it is important to consider the possibility of orthostatic hypotension.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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What is needed to diagnose Parkinson's disease?

The definitive diagnosis of Parkinson's disease primarily relies on the patient's medical history, clinical manifestations, and a thorough physical examination by a neurologist. If the onset of the disease is very slow, presenting with symptoms such as bradykinesia and tremors, and the neurologist observes heightened muscle tone and slow movements during the examination, a high suspicion of this disease is warranted. Additionally, certain auxiliary tests are necessary, commonly including: First, testing the patient's sense of smell is crucial, as a reduced sense of smell is very important in diagnosing Parkinson's disease. Second, some brain MRI scans are needed mainly to exclude some secondary Parkinson's syndromes. Third, a brain PET-CT scan can be performed to examine the functionality of the striatum. Furthermore, an ultrasound of the substantia nigra in the midbrain can also be conducted, which holds significant value in assisting the diagnosis.