At this time, there’s no proven way to prevent Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s can develop because of genetics, biological changes we don’t fully understand yet, or a combination of both, and right now, there’s no reliable way to predict who will develop it or stop it from happening. Some research has found links between higher Parkinson’s risk and certain environmental exposures or occupations—like farming, welding, or long-term contact with specific chemicals. But those connections are not a guarantee: most people in these jobs never develop Parkinson’s, and avoiding an exposure doesn’t mean someone is “fully protected.”
The good news is that research into risk factors and possible protective habits is moving fast. But today, no lifestyle change, supplement, or intervention has been shown to definitively prevent Parkinson’s.
If you’ve been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, the most important step is this: don’t go it alone.
Working closely with your healthcare team—and following a plan built for you—can make a real difference in how you feel day to day, how well symptoms are managed, and how confidently you move through life.
Take meds as prescribed (and on time)
Medication is one of the strongest tools we have for managing Parkinson’s symptoms. Taking it consistently, and on schedule, can reduce “off” time and help your day feel more steady and predictable. If something feels off—side effects, wearing off sooner than expected, or new symptoms—say it early. You’re not complaining. You’re helping your care team fine-tune the plan.
Keep regular follow-ups
Routine visits help track changes, fine-tune medications, and stay ahead of new challenges.
Report new or worsening symptoms early
Parkinson’s can affect movement, sleep, mood, thinking, energy, and more. Many symptoms are treatable—especially when addressed early—so don’t wait to bring changes to your doctor’s attention.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition, which means changes in the brain develop gradually over time. Progression is usually slow and highly individual, and many people live a normal—or near-normal—lifespan with Parkinson’s, especially with today’s treatments and care. In the early stages, most people need little to no assistance and can continue to live independently, work, drive, and stay active. Symptoms are often mild and respond well to treatment.
As Parkinson’s progresses, medication becomes a key part of symptom management. Many people respond strongly, especially to levodopa-based therapies, once the right medication plan and dosing schedule are found. These treatments can reduce symptoms and help preserve function for years.
Over time, symptoms may become more complex and medication effects can fluctuate, which often means adjustments are needed. Care commonly becomes more personalized and may include a mix of medications, physical therapy, exercise, and supportive care. In later stages, daily activities can become more challenging and extra support may be needed. Even then, many people continue to benefit from treatment and maintain a meaningful quality of life with the right medical care and a strong support system.
If you’re diagnosed with Parkinson’s today, the outlook is often more hopeful and manageable than people expect.
Parkinson’s is progressive, but it’s usually slow-moving and highly individual, and many people live a normal or near-normal lifespan, especially with modern treatment and good follow-up care.
For a long time, most people can still work, drive, stay active, and live independently. Medications (often including Carbidopa/Levodopa often called Sinemet) can make a big difference, especially when the right plan—and timing—is dialed in.
Parkinson’s changes the roadmap, but it doesn’t erase your life. It means learning a new rhythm, building the right support, and moving forward—one steady step at a time.
Yes — Parkinson’s can affect thinking and memory for some people, but it doesn’t happen the same way for everyone.
Many people notice changes like slower thinking, trouble multitasking, word-finding issues, or feeling more mentally “foggy,” especially when tired, stressed, or in an “off” period. For others, thinking and memory stay strong for many years.
The important part: if you notice changes, bring them up early. There are often practical strategies, medication adjustments, sleep support, and therapies that can help—and you deserve support without shame or fear.
Yes — Parkinson’s can absolutely affect mood and anxiety, and it’s more common than many people realize.
This isn’t just “how you’re handling it.” Parkinson’s can change brain chemistry and nervous system function, and on top of that, living with uncertainty can be emotionally heavy. People may experience anxiety, depression, irritability, or feeling overwhelmed, sometimes even before motor symptoms start.
The good news: these symptoms are real, treatable, and worth addressing early. If your mood shifts or anxiety ramps up, tell your doctor—support, therapy, medication adjustments, and lifestyle tools can make a meaningful difference.
Suggest to keep it simple, steady, and on your terms. You don’t owe anyone every detail—just enough to give context and reduce awkwardness.
Example (works for most people):
“I wanted to share something important—I’ve been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. I’m doing okay and getting good care. You may notice symptoms sometimes, like tremor or stiffness, but I’m managing it. I’ll let you know if I ever need support.”
When you feel the time comes, suggest to keep it simple, professional, and calm. You may want to begin with your direct supervisor, and if needed, involve Human Resources or an Employee Relations (ER) representative (especially in a larger organization).
Something along the lines of: “I wanted to share that I’ve been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. I’m under medical care and fully able to perform my role. You may notice occasional symptoms like tremor, stiffness, or fatigue, but I’m managing them. If I ever need a small adjustment to stay at my best, I’ll communicate early and follow up through the appropriate channels."
Reminder: You are protected at work. Parkinson’s is widely recognized as a disability, and laws and workplace policies exist to prevent unfair treatment and support reasonable accommodations if needed.
That doesn’t mean you have to lead with legal language—but it does mean you should feel confident advocating for yourself. If support or adjustments ever become necessary, you may need to engage with your company’s HR team or Employee Relations (ER) representative to document needs and follow the proper process.
And if you ever feel you’re being treated differently or unfairly because of your diagnosis, it’s reasonable to document concerns, involve HR/ER, and—if needed—consult an employment attorney to understand and protect your rights.
Parkinson’s UK
Best for: United Kingdom support, advocacy, research funding
📍 Address: 215 Vauxhall Bridge Rd, London SW1V 1EJ, United Kingdom
📞 Helpline: +44 (0)800 800 0303
📧 Email: hello@parkinsons.org.uk
🌐 Website: parkinsons.org.uk
Parkinson’s Resource
Organization (PRO)
Best for: Education, support groups, “Wellness Village” resource directory
📞 Phone: (760) 773-5628 | (877) 775-4111
📍 Address: 74785 Highway 111, Suite 208, Indian Wells, CA 92210
🌐 Website: parkinsonsresource.org
Parkinson’s Foundation (PF)
Best for: Helpline, education, care navigation
📞 Helpline: 1-00-473-4636)
📍 Miami: 5757 Waterford District Dr., Suite 310, Miami, FL 33126
📍 New York: 1350 Broadway, Suite 1530, New York, NY 10018
American Parkinson's Disease Association
Parkinson’s Foundation (PF)
Best for: Helpline, education, care navigation
📞 Helpline: 1-00-473-4636)
📍 Miami: 5757 Waterford District Dr., Suite 310, Miami, FL 33126
📍 New York: 1350 Broadway, Suite 1530, New York, NY 10018
Davis Phinney Foundation (DPF)
Best for: Living well with Parkinson’s, exercise, practical guidance
📞 Phone: 866-358-0285
📍 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 270948
🌐 Website: davisphinneyfoundation.org
Davis Phinney Foundation (DPF)
The Michael J. Fox Foundation
for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF)
Best for: Research, clinical trials, cure-driven science
📞 Phone: 212-509-0995
📍 Address: Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777
🌐 Website: michaeljfox.org
Johns Hopkins University
Location: Baltimore, MD
Focus:
Foundational Parkinson’s research history
Leadership in genetics, pathology, and disease progression
Strong translational research pipeline
📞 Appointments: 410-955-0303
📍 Address: 601 N Caroline St, Baltimore, MD 21287
🌐 Website: hopkinsmedicine.org
α-Syn One Test
Plain-English: A skin biopsy test that looks for abnormal Parkinson’s protein.
Clinical Note: Detects phosphorylated alpha-synuclein in cutaneous nerve fibers.
Why It Matters: Provides biological confirmation of Parkinson’s and related disorders. Amantadine
Amantadine
Plain-English: A medication that helps calm dyskinesias and sometimes improves slowness.
Clinical Note: Works through glutamate modulation and dopaminergic effects.
Why It Matters: Main non-surgical treatment for levodopa-induced dyskinesias.
Apathy (Parkinson’s Related)
Plain-English: “I know what I should do, I just can’t get myself to start.”
Clinical Note: A motivational deficit linked to dopamine and frontal-striatal circuitry.
Why It Matters: Often mistaken for depression but treated differently.
Ataxia
Plain-English: Coordination problems — movements become shaky, inaccurate, or unstable.
Clinical Note: Indicates cerebellar dysfunction; not typical of PD.
Why It Matters: Prominent ataxia should prompt evaluation for MSA-C, stroke, POLG-related disease, or cerebellar disorders.
Autonomic Dysfunction
Plain-English: Problems with automatic body functions like blood pressure, digestion, sweating, and heart rate.
Clinical Note: Caused by degeneration of autonomic nervous system pathways in Parkinson’s.
Why It Matters: A major driver of non-motor symptoms and quality-of-life decline.
Autonomic Testing
Plain-English: Tests that measure how well the body controls blood pressure, heart rate, and sweating.
Clinical Note: Evaluates autonomic nervous system function, which can be impaired in Parkinson’s and atypical syndromes.
Why It Matters: Helps distinguish PD from disorders like MSA and explains symptoms like dizziness and fainting.
Atypical Parkinsonism
Plain-English: Conditions that resemble Parkinson’s but follow a different pattern and progression.
Clinical Note: Includes disorders like MSA, PSP, and corticobasal syndrome; often respond less well to levodopa.
Why It Matters: Recognizing atypical features early improves planning and prevents misdiagnosis.
Basal Ganglia
Plain-English: The brain’s movement-control network.
Clinical Note: Dopamine depletion here disrupts motor planning and execution.
Why It Matters: Where PD’s motor symptoms originate.
Biomarker
Plain-English: A measurable sign in the body that gives information about a disease and how it behaves.
Clinical Note: Biomarkers can include proteins, genes, imaging findings, or physiologic measurements reflecting disease biology.
Why It Matters: Improves diagnosis, tracks progression, guides treatment decisions, and accelerates clinical trials.
Blepharospasm
Plain-English: Involuntary squeezing or closing of the eyes.
Clinical Note: A focal dystonia affecting orbicularis oculi muscles.
Why It Matters: Can interfere with reading, driving, and quality of life.
Bradykinesia
Plain-English: Slowed, small, effortful movement.
Clinical Note: Required for diagnosis; reflects dopamine loss in basal ganglia circuits.
Why It Matters: The most universal motor symptom in PD.
Bradyphrenia
Plain-English: Slowed thinking or mental processing.
Clinical Note: Linked to cortical-subcortical disconnection and dopaminergic deficits.
Why It Matters: Affects multitasking, planning, and decision-making.
Camptocormia
Plain-English: A strong forward bend at the waist when standing or walking.
Clinical Note: Axial dystonia or myopathy; straightens when lying down.
Why It Matters: Can be disabling and is not always medication-responsive.
Carbidopa-Levodopa
Plain-English: The gold-standard PD medication combination.
Clinical Note: Levodopa converts to dopamine; carbidopa prevents premature breakdown.
Why It Matters: Most effective treatment for slowness, stiffness, and tremor.
Clinical Trials
Plain-English: Research studies that test treatments or approaches in people to see if they are safe and effective.
Clinical Note: Trials follow phases that move from safety testing to effectiveness and long-term monitoring.
Why It Matters: Clinical trials are how new Parkinson’s therapies are discovered, tested, and approved.
Clinical Trial Phases
Plain-English: The step-by-step stages researchers use to test a treatment safely.
Clinical Note: Phase I: Safety, dosing, side-effect identification. Phase II: Early effectiveness and dose refinement. Phase III: Large, controlled trials for approval. Phase IV: Post-FDA approval safety and real-world use.
Why It Matters: Explains why treatments take time and why results may change between phases.
Cognitive Impairment
Plain-English: Trouble with memory, planning, attention, or multitasking.
Clinical Note: Often begins with executive dysfunction; may progress to Parkinson’s disease dementia.
Why It Matters: One of the biggest quality-of-life impacts for families.
COMT Inhibitors
Plain-English: Medications that help levodopa last longer in the body.
Clinical Note: Used to reduce wearing-off by slowing levodopa breakdown (e.g., entacapone, opicapone).
Why It Matters: Can increase “on” time and smooth out daily symptom swings.
Constipation
Plain-English: Slow or difficult bowel movements that don’t match normal patterns.
Clinical Note: Caused by autonomic dysfunction and slowed GI motility.
Why It Matters: Can worsen medication absorption and overall symptoms.
Corticobasal Syndrome (CBS)
Plain-English: A rare disorder that can cause stiffness, slowness, and coordination problems—often more on one side.
Clinical Note: Often includes apraxia and cortical signs; levodopa response is limited.
Why It Matters: Can look like Parkinson’s early but behaves differently and requires different planning.
CSF Dopamine Metabolites
Plain-English: Dopamine breakdown products measured in spinal fluid.
Clinical Note: Reflect dopamine neuron function and neurodegeneration.
Why It Matters: Helps confirm dopaminergic deficit and track disease biology.
Cueing Strategies
Plain-English: External prompts (beats, lines, tapping) that help movement work better.
Clinical Note: Engages alternate neural pathways to bypass impaired basal ganglia circuits.
Why It Matters: One of the best tools for freezing of gait.
DaTscan Imaging
Plain-English: A scan that shows dopamine activity in the brain.
Clinical Note: Measures dopamine transporter density in the striatum.
Why It Matters: Supports diagnosis when clinical findings are unclear.
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
Plain-English: A surgically implanted “pacemaker for the brain” that reduces symptoms.
Clinical Note: Targets STN or GPi to modulate abnormal neuronal firing.
Why It Matters: Very effective for tremor, dyskinesia, and motor fluctuations.
Delusions
Plain-English: Strong false beliefs (often paranoia or spousal infidelity themes).
Clinical Note: Associated with PD dementia, medication effects, and Lewy pathology.
Why It Matters: A major safety and caregiver-burden issue.
Depression & Anxiety
Plain-English: Changes in mood that may arrive before motor symptoms.
Clinical Note: Partially driven by loss of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine pathways.
Why It Matters: Highly treatable; not a personal weakness.
Dopamine Agonists
Plain-English: Parkinson’s medications that mimic dopamine in the brain.
Clinical Note: Includes pramipexole, ropinirole, and rotigotine; helpful but can cause notable side effects.
Why It Matters: Strongly linked to impulse control disorders and sleepiness, so monitoring is critical.
Dyskinesia
Plain-English: Uncontrolled, flowing, “wiggly” movements.
Clinical Note: Caused by long-term levodopa use and pulsatile dopamine stimulation.
Why It Matters: Not disease progression — a medication effect that can be managed.
Dysphagia
Plain-English: Difficulty swallowing food, liquids, or pills.
Clinical Note: Impaired coordination of swallowing muscles due to bradykinesia and rigidity.
Why It Matters: Increases choking and aspiration pneumonia risk.
Dystonia
Plain-English: Muscle contractions that twist a body part into an uncomfortable position.
Clinical Note: Often foot/toe dystonia in young-onset PD.
Why It Matters: Can be painful, disabling, and targetable with meds or botox.
Executive Dysfunction
Plain-English: Difficulty organizing, planning, or switching tasks.
Clinical Note: Frontostriatal circuitry involvement.
Why It Matters: Drives many daily-life frustrations.
Falls / Fall Risk
Plain-English: Increased chance of falling due to balance changes, freezing, or dizziness.
Clinical Note: Driven by postural instability, orthostatic hypotension, and gait impairment.
Why It Matters: Falls are a major preventable cause of injury and loss of independence.
Fatigue
Plain-English: Crushing low energy that isn’t the same as sleepiness.
Clinical Note: Multifactorial — dopamine loss, inflammation, sleep issues, autonomic changes.
Why It Matters: One of the least recognized but most disabling symptoms.
Freezing of Gait
Plain-English: Feet suddenly feel “superglued” to the floor.
Clinical Note: A motor block related to impaired gait initiation circuits.
Why It Matters: Major fall risk; responds well to cueing.
Freezing Triggers
Plain-English: Situations that make freezing more likely, such as doorways or crowds.
Clinical Note: Cognitive load and environmental factors worsen gait initiation failure.
Why It Matters: Identifying triggers helps prevent falls.
Gait Festination
Plain-English: Steps become shorter and faster, as if chasing balance.
Clinical Note: A gait abnormality caused by impaired postural control.
Why It Matters: Increases fall risk during walking.
Genetic Variants (LRRK2, GBA)
Plain-English: Genes that can increase the risk of PD.
Clinical Note: GBA variants often predict faster progression; LRRK2 is a common inherited cause.
Why It Matters: Critical for clinical trials and personalized medicine.
GPi (Globus Pallidus Internus)
Plain-English: A deep brain target sometimes used for DBS.
Clinical Note: GPi stimulation often helps dyskinesias and motor fluctuations.
Why It Matters: Helps patients understand DBS options and goals.
Hallucinations (Parkinson’s Related)
Plain-English: Seeing people, animals, or shadows that aren’t actually there.
Clinical Note: Visual hallucinations are more common than auditory in PD.
Why It Matters: Early recognition helps prevent crises.
Hoehn & Yahr Staging
Plain-English: A simple 1–5 scale for describing Parkinson’s severity.
Clinical Note: Based primarily on motor symptoms and balance.
Why It Matters: Useful for clinical tracking and communication.
Hyposmia / Anosmia
Plain-English: Reduced sense of smell (hyposmia) or loss of smell (anosmia).
Clinical Note: A common early non-motor symptom that can appear years before motor signs.
Why It Matters: Often overlooked, but one of the most frequent early clues of PD biology.
Hypomimia
Plain-English: Reduced facial expression — “masked” appearance.
Clinical Note: Caused by bradykinesia of facial musculature.
Why It Matters: May affect social perception and emotional communication.
Hypophonia
Plain-English: Soft, quiet, or monotone speech.
Clinical Note: Related to reduced respiratory drive and vocal intensity.
Why It Matters: Responds well to LSVT LOUD and speech therapy.
Impulse Control Disorders (ICDs)
Plain-English: Compulsive gambling, shopping, eating, or sexual behavior.
Clinical Note: Strongly associated with dopamine agonists.
Why It Matters: Important to identify early to prevent financial and social harm.
Inflammatory Markers
Plain-English: Blood markers associated with immune activation.
Clinical Note: Neuroinflammation is increasingly recognized as part of PD progression biology.
Why It Matters: Emerging targets for disease-modifying and neuroprotective therapies.
Levodopa
Plain-English: The backbone medication for PD symptoms.
Clinical Note: Crosses the blood–brain barrier and converts to dopamine.
Why It Matters: Most patients rely on it long-term.
Levodopa-Induced Dyskinesia (LID)
Plain-English: Involuntary movements caused by levodopa treatment over time.
Clinical Note: Related to pulsatile dopamine stimulation and disease stage.
Why It Matters: Manageable with timing changes, meds, or advanced therapies.
Lewy Bodies
Plain-English: Abnormal protein clumps inside neurons.
Clinical Note: Composed mainly of alpha-synuclein.
Why It Matters: Their distribution defines PD, PDD, and DLB.
MAO-B Inhibitors
Plain-English: Medications that help the brain keep dopamine active longer.
Clinical Note: Includes rasagiline, selegiline, and safinamide; used early or as add-on therapy.
Why It Matters: Can reduce wearing-off and support smoother symptom control.
Medication Wearing-Off
Plain-English: When Parkinson’s symptoms return before the next dose is due.
Clinical Note: Occurs as dopamine buffering capacity decreases over time.
Why It Matters: Signals need for medication adjustment or advanced therapies.
Micrographia
Plain-English: Very small or progressively shrinking handwriting.
Clinical Note: A manifestation of bradykinesia affecting fine motor control.
Why It Matters: Often an early and visible sign of Parkinson’s.
Mild Cognitive Impairment (PD-MCI)
Plain-English: Subtle thinking changes that are noticeable but not dementia.
Clinical Note: Often affects processing speed and executive function early.
Why It Matters: Helps families plan and supports early strategies for independence.
Motor Fluctuations
Plain-English: Ups and downs in symptom control across the day.
Clinical Note: Result from short levodopa half-life and loss of buffering capacity.
Why It Matters: Leads to “on,” “off,” and dyskinesia cycles.
Motor Symptoms
Plain-English: The movement-related symptoms of Parkinson’s—slowness, stiffness, tremor, and balance issues.
Clinical Note: Driven mainly by dopamine circuit dysfunction in the basal ganglia.
Why It Matters: The most visible symptoms, but not the whole disease.
Multidisciplinary Care
Plain-English: Care from a coordinated team of specialists.
Clinical Note: May include neurology, PT, OT, speech therapy, and more.
Why It Matters: Strongly associated with better outcomes and quality of life.
Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)
Plain-English: A Parkinson’s-like condition that strongly affects blood pressure, balance, and body functions.
Clinical Note: Often has prominent autonomic dysfunction and limited levodopa response.
Why It Matters: Early recognition changes prognosis, safety planning, and symptom priorities.
Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL)
Plain-English: A marker of nerve cell damage measured in blood or spinal fluid.
Clinical Note: Elevated levels may suggest faster neurodegeneration.
Why It Matters: Helps distinguish typical PD from atypical parkinsonism.
Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension (NOH)
Plain-English: Blood pressure drops when standing, causing dizziness.
Clinical Note: Caused by autonomic failure in PD.
Why It Matters: Treatable — and a major fall risk.
Neuroplasticity
Plain-English: The brain’s ability to adapt and rewire.
Clinical Note: Exercise and therapy leverage neuroplastic mechanisms in PD.
Why It Matters: Supports movement and learning as powerful tools for function.
Nocturia
Plain-English: Waking up multiple times at night to urinate.
Clinical Note: Common in PD due to autonomic dysfunction and sleep disruption.
Why It Matters: Drives fatigue, sleep fragmentation, and fall risk at night.
Non-Motor Symptoms
Plain-English: Everything PD affects besides movement.
Clinical Note: Includes autonomic, mood, sleep, sensory, GI, pain, and cognitive symptoms.
Why It Matters: Often more disabling than motor symptoms.
“Off” Time
Plain-English: When meds aren’t working and symptoms return.
Clinical Note: Pharmacokinetic and neurophysiologic wearing-off.
Why It Matters: Key driver of medication changes and DBS decisions.
Olfactory Testing
Plain-English: Smell testing.
Clinical Note: Reduced smell (hyposmia) is common early in PD.
Why It Matters: Helps identify risk before motor symptoms appear.
“On” Time
Plain-English: When medication is fully working and movement improves.
Clinical Note: Depends on absorption, dose, and disease stage.
Why It Matters: The goal is to maximize safe, comfortable “on” time.
On-Demand Therapy
Plain-English: Fast-acting treatments used during sudden “off” periods.
Clinical Note: Includes apomorphine and inhaled levodopa.
Why It Matters: Restores function during unpredictable off time.
Orthostatic Hypotension (OH)
Plain-English: A blood pressure drop when standing that causes dizziness or weakness.
Clinical Note: Can be neurogenic or worsened by dehydration and medications.
Why It Matters: Treatable and a major contributor to falls.
Orthostatic Intolerance
Plain-English: Feeling unwell when standing for long periods.
Clinical Note: Related to autonomic dysfunction and blood pressure instability.
Why It Matters: Limits stamina and daily activity.
Pain (Parkinson’s-Related)
Plain-English: Aches, cramps, stiffness pain, or nerve-like burning discomfort linked to Parkinson’s.
Clinical Note: Can be musculoskeletal, dystonic, neuropathic, or central pain.
Why It Matters: Common in PD and often treatable with the right plan.
Parkinsonism
Plain-English: A set of symptoms that look like Parkinson’s, such as slowness, stiffness, tremor, and balance trouble.
Clinical Note: Can be caused by Parkinson’s disease or other conditions like MSA, PSP, medications, or vascular disease.
Why It Matters: Describes a symptom pattern—not a single diagnosis—so evaluation and treatment change.
Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
Plain-English: A progressive condition affecting movement, mood, thinking, and many body systems.
Clinical Note: Characterized by dopamine neuron loss in the substantia nigra and Lewy body pathology.
Why It Matters: Requires a whole-person, multidisciplinary approach.
Parkinson’s Disease Dementia (PDD)
Plain-English: Cognitive decline that develops after years of Parkinson’s disease.
Clinical Note: Associated with widespread Lewy body pathology.
Why It Matters: Impacts independence, caregiving, and long-term planning.
Parkinson’s Psychosis
Plain-English: Parkinson’s-related hallucinations, delusions, or confusion.
Clinical Note: Often medication-influenced and linked to Lewy pathology progression.
Why It Matters: Early recognition reduces safety risk and caregiver strain.
Postural Hypotension
Plain-English: Feeling dizzy or lightheaded when standing up.
Clinical Note: Often due to autonomic dysfunction or Parkinson’s medications.
Why It Matters: A common and treatable cause of falls.
Postural Instability
Plain-English: Trouble maintaining balance, especially when turning.
Clinical Note: Reflects axial motor system dysfunction.
Why It Matters: Strong predictor of falls.
Postural Tremor
Plain-English: Tremor that appears while holding a position—like holding arms out or holding a cup.
Clinical Note: May overlap with essential tremor or occur alongside Parkinson’s tremor patterns.
Why It Matters: Explains tremor that doesn’t match “resting tremor only.”
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP)
Plain-English: A condition that can resemble Parkinson’s but often causes early falls and eye movement problems.
Clinical Note: Features gaze palsy, axial rigidity, early falls, and limited levodopa response.
Why It Matters: Frequently misdiagnosed early; planning priorities differ from PD.
REM Atonia
Plain-English: Normal muscle paralysis during dream sleep.
Clinical Note: Loss of REM atonia causes REM Sleep Behavior Disorder.
Why It Matters: A key marker of synuclein-related disease.
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD)
Plain-English: Acting out dreams—talking, yelling, punching, or kicking.
Clinical Note: Loss of REM atonia due to brainstem dysfunction.
Why It Matters: One of the strongest early markers of synucleinopathy.
Rigidity
Plain-English: Muscle stiffness that makes movement feel tight, resistant, or uncomfortable.
Clinical Note: A core motor feature caused by increased muscle tone from basal ganglia dysfunction.
Why It Matters: Contributes to pain, reduced motion, and fatigue—and can improve with treatment.
Sensory Neuropathy
Plain-English: Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in the limbs.
Clinical Note: May relate to vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, or medications.
Why It Matters: Can worsen balance and gait instability.
Sialorrhea
Plain-English: Drooling due to reduced automatic swallowing.
Clinical Note: Caused by bradykinesia of throat muscles.
Why It Matters: Socially distressing but very treatable.
Skin Biopsy (Phosphorylated Alpha-synuclein)
Plain-English: A small skin sample used to detect abnormal Parkinson’s protein.
Clinical Note: Detects phosphorylated alpha-synuclein in peripheral nerves.
Why It Matters: Enables biological confirmation without brain imaging.
Sleep Fragmentation
Plain-English: Frequent nighttime awakenings that disrupt sleep.
Clinical Note: Common due to RBD, pain, nocturia, and medication effects.
Why It Matters: Worsens fatigue, cognition, and mood.
Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)
Plain-English: A therapist who helps with speech, voice, and swallowing.
Clinical Note: Addresses hypophonia, articulation, and dysphagia.
Why It Matters: Early involvement preserves communication and safety.
STN (Subthalamic Nucleus)
Plain-English: A deep brain target often used for DBS.
Clinical Note: STN stimulation can reduce medication needs and improve motor fluctuations.
Why It Matters: Helps patients understand DBS choices and tradeoffs.
Substantia Nigra
Plain-English: A deep brain region critical for movement control.
Clinical Note: Site of dopamine neuron loss in Parkinson’s disease.
Why It Matters: Central to the biology of PD.
Talk Test (Exercise Intensity)
Plain-English: You should be able to talk, but not sing, during exercise.
Clinical Note: Corresponds to moderate-to-vigorous aerobic intensity.
Why It Matters: Matches intensity used in Parkinson’s exercise studies.
Tremor (Resting)
Plain-English: Shaking that happens when the limb is at rest and eases with movement.
Clinical Note: Rhythmic oscillation from basal ganglia–thalamic circuit imbalance.
Why It Matters: Common early sign, but some people never develop tremor.
Urinary Urgency
Plain-English: A sudden strong need to urinate that’s hard to delay.
Clinical Note: Common in PD due to autonomic bladder dysfunction and overactivity.
Why It Matters: Impacts sleep, travel confidence, and daily quality of life.
Visual Misperceptions
Plain-English: Seeing shadows, movement, or shapes that aren’t fully formed hallucinations.
Clinical Note: Often precede hallucinations in Parkinson’s disease.
Why It Matters: Early recognition helps guide medication review and monitoring.
