What Are Clinical Findings of Parkinson's Disease?

Parkinson's disease is characterized by lowered production of dopamine, a brain chemical that promotes coordinated control of body movements. Diagnosis of Parkinson's relies heavily on a clinical, or physical, examination of patient symptoms.

The Facts

• According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Parkinson's disease is triggered by the death or impairment of dopamine-producing cells in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra. In turn, the diminished supply of dopamine triggers abnormal nerve response patterns in the brain (see Reference 1).

Clinical Examination

• Doctors typically diagnose Parkinson's through a medical history and a complete examination of a patient's neurological functions. This clinical procedure includes an assessment of a patient's ability to walk, sense environmental changes and perform tasks that require body coordination (see references 1, 2 and 3).

Clinical Findings

• The three classic signs of Parkinson's are muscle rigidity, slowed movements and tremors. According to the Mayo Clinic, chances of a Parkinson's diagnosis increase if two of these three clinical findings are present (see References 2).

Additional Clinical Factors

• Additional clinical factors of Parkinson's include symptoms that appear on only one side of the body and tremors that are most prominent when the patient is at rest (see Reference 2).

Considerations

• True Parkinson's can be difficult to distinguish from other syndromes. Additional testing may be needed before diagnosis (see Reference 1).