Diagnosing Parkinson’s disease (PD) can be challenging. No specific test confirms the diagnosis, and Parkinson’s disease symptoms can look like the symptoms of many other conditions.
The dedicated team at Penn Medicine’s Movement Disorders Center provides renowned clinical care and trusted expertise when it comes to accurately diagnosing Parkinson’s disease. An accurate and rapid diagnosis allows for the most effective Parkinson’s treatment.
How Is Parkinson’s Diagnosed?
If you have symptoms that may point to Parkinson’s disease, you will be referred to a neurologist. Neurologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of all disorders affecting the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
At your first appointment, your neurologist asks about your personal and family medical history, symptoms, and current medications. They perform a thorough physical examination that checks your reflexes, strength, sensation, and coordination.
Criteria for Diagnosing Parkinson’s Disease
Because there is no test for Parkinson’s, neurologists rely on clinical criteria (features or symptoms) to assess and diagnose Parkinson’s disease.
To be diagnosed with Parkinson’s, you must have bradykinesia (slowness of movement). At least one of the following symptoms must also be present:
- Resting tremor, a rhythmic shaking that occurs when you are at rest
- Stiffness or rigidity of your arms, legs, or torso
Conditions other than Parkinson’s disease (atypical parkinsonism, vascular parkinsonism, side effects from certain medications) may also cause these symptoms. Your doctor may order additional tests to rule out other possibilities if there are unusual features.
Testing to Support Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosis
When your doctor suspects Parkinson’s, but there are atypical features, you may undergo testing to rule out conditions that cause similar symptoms.
Blood and Imaging Tests
Blood tests and brain imaging studies can reveal signs of other conditions that share features with Parkinson’s. Your doctor may order a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. MRIs use magnetic fields and radio waves to produce a detailed picture of the soft tissues and spaces in your brain.
Dopamine Transporter (DAT) Scan
This imaging test uses a radioactive tracer injected into your bloodstream. This tracer specifically attaches to proteins that transport dopamine in your brain. Areas in your brain where cells containing dopamine transporters have died off will appear dark on the imaging scan because the radioactive tracer doesn’t attach to them. This scan is abnormal in people with Parkinson’s, but some disorders similar to Parkinson’s may also produce abnormal test results.
Tests for Alpha-Synuclein Proteins
Researchers are looking into new ways to test for possible markers of Parkinson’s disease. One such marker found in the brain tissue of individuals with Parkinson’s disease is an improperly folded protein called alpha-synuclein. The presence of this protein alone is not enough to confirm PD, as it is also present in some atypical parkinsonian disorders.
Two tests can confirm the presence of misfolded alpha-synuclein proteins:
- Lumbar puncture (spinal tap): A small needle is inserted into the area next to your spinal cord to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This fluid cushions and nourishes your brain and spinal cord. Specialists can look for the misfolded alpha-synuclein protein in the CSF. This test is currently only performed as part of research studies.
- Skin biopsy: This biopsy (called a Syn-One Test®) requires collection of a sample of your skin, which also contains nerve cells. Specialists analyze the tissue for the presence of the misfolded alpha-synuclein protein.
Medication Trials
Your neurologist may recommend a trial of carbidopa-levodopa, a medication that effectively treats Parkinson’s disease. If you show improvement in your symptoms, this increases the likelihood that you have a diagnosis of Parkinson’s. If not, there may be other conditions that explain your symptoms.
Why Choose Penn Medicine for Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosis?
An accurate diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease is critical for getting the right Parkinson’s disease treatment and care. Our Parkinson’s specialists have decades of experience recognizing the often-subtle signs of this challenging condition. People who come to us for Parkinson’s diagnosis choose us for:
- National recognition: The National Parkinson’s Foundation recognizes Penn Medicine as a Center of Clinical Excellence for the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease. As one of a small number of these centers in the world, we’re recognized for our deep expertise in using the latest technologies, treatments, and research to provide the best possible care for people with PD.
- Comprehensive team: Parkinson’s care requires a team of experts. Our neurologists, movement disorders specialists, neurosurgeons, rehabilitation therapists, and mental health experts work together to bring you all the care you need.
- Largest program in the region: As one of the largest, most comprehensive movement disorders centers in the Mid-Atlantic region, our team cares for hundreds of people with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders each year. We understand the signs and symptoms of these conditions that are key to the right diagnosis.
- Research focus: Members of our team are active researchers who seek to better understand Parkinson’s disease and find more successful treatments. Our Parkinson’s disease research is funded by the National Institutes of Health, Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative, the Parkinson’s Foundation, and the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Our involvement in clinical trials brings innovative treatment to some of our patients before they are widely available.
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Please call 800-789-7366 or make an appointment.