Parkinson’s disease(PD) is classified by key in based on its cause and age of onset.
Idiopathic PD (Parkinson’s disease) occurs in persons around 60.
Early-onset PD occurs in younger patients, often before the age of 50.
Verywell / Katie Kerpel
There are also secondary parkinsonism and atypical parkinsonism.
It affects older individuals, with an average age of onset around 60.
The symptoms of idiopathic PD are divided into two categoriesmotor (movement) and non-motor.
Motor symptoms of PD include:
Motor symptoms tend to start out mild and worsen slowly over time.
They also begin on one side of the body and eventually spread to the other side.
Non-motor symptoms of PD can develop before a diagnosis of PD is even suspected.
These are alternative drugs to levodopa.
As an example, mutations in the gene SNCA are linked toautosomal dominantParkinson’s disease.
All of these causes block or interfere with dopamine levels or function in the brain.
Drug-Induced Parkinsonism
Drug-induced parkinsonism (DIP) is the most common pop in of secondary parkinsonism.
It pops up if symptoms of PD develop after taking a medication, most commonly an antipsychotic drug.
Doctors can confirm a diagnosis of DIP by stopping the drug potentially causing it.
Once the drug is stopped, symptoms should resolve within two months.
Astrokeoccurs when a blood vessel that supplies the brain is blocked or bleeds into the brain.
The diagnosis of a stroke can be confirmed with amagnetic resonance imaging (MRI)test of the brain.
Smoking cessation and controlling risk factors likehigh cholesterolorhigh blood pressure (hypertension)can help prevent strokes.
The key in and location of the protein deposition vary among the different diseases.
Distinguishing PD from these parkinsonian diseases can be challenging, particularly in the early stages of the disease.
Both DLB and PD are characterized by the presence of Lewy bodies in the brain.
Lewy bodies are abnormal clumps of a protein called alpha-synuclein.
Parkinsonianism should develop within a year of the dementia to be DLB.
While dementia develops in Parkinson’s disease, it usually takes 10 to 30 years.
As with LBD and idiopathic PD, MSA is characterized by the presence of clumps of alpha-synuclein protein.
Essential Tremor
Essential tremor (ET)causes rhythmic shaking of both hands and arms.
It may also involve the head, trunk, voice, and rarely, the legs.
ET often runs in families and is a disorder that slowly worsens over time.
For most cases of tremor, distinguishing ET from PD is relatively straightforward.
The tremor of PD, on the other hand, occurs at rest.
That said, patients with PD often have an action tremor prior to developing more obvious PD signs.
Experts aren’t sure if this action tremor is ET or an early sign of PD.
This can make differentiating between the two diseases tricky.
A careful examination of symptom characteristics and timeline can be helpful.
There are three main types of PDidiopathic, early-onset, and familial.
While these symptoms may be from PD, they could also be attributed to another condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Parkinson’s disease is not reversible with the exception of drug-induced parkinsonism.
Most people with Parkinson’s disease have no family history of the disease.
Only 10%15% of cases of PD are believed to be inherited.
Symptoms include uncontrollable dance-like movements (chorea) and personality and mood changes.
Parkinson’s disease is not typically inherited and causes stiffness, tremor, and slowed movements.
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