Parkinson's disease is diagnosed primarily through a clinical evaluation by a neurologist, as there is currently no single definitive test for the disease. The diagnosis process includes:
- Taking a detailed medical history and reviewing symptoms such as tremor, stiffness, slowness of movement (bradykinesia), and balance problems
- Performing a neurological and physical examination to assess motor functions, reflexes, coordination, facial expression, gait, and balance
- Considering the patient's response to Parkinson’s medications like levodopa, which can support the diagnosis
- Using blood tests and lab work mainly to rule out other conditions that may mimic Parkinson’s symptoms
- Employing imaging tests such as MRI or CT scans to exclude other brain disorders, although these scans do not confirm Parkinson’s disease itself
- In some cases, specialized imaging like dopamine transporter (DAT) scans or DaTscan may be used to support the diagnosis by showing dopamine system abnormalities, but these are not required for most patients
- Newer diagnostic aids include biomarker tests on cerebrospinal fluid or skin biopsies (e.g., Syn-One test) that detect Parkinson’s-related proteins, though these are still being evaluated for routine clinical use
Because Parkinson’s symptoms overlap with other disorders, diagnosis can take time and may require follow-up evaluations to confirm
. The diagnosis is considered clinical and based on the presence of characteristic motor symptoms, especially bradykinesia combined with tremor, rigidity, or balance issues
. In summary, Parkinson’s disease diagnosis relies on clinical expertise, symptom evaluation, exclusion of other conditions, and sometimes supportive imaging or biomarker tests. Definitive diagnosis can only be confirmed post- mortem by pathological examination
