The clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease

Abstract

After more than 200 years since its initial description, the clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) remains an often-challenging endeavor, with broad implications that are fundamental for clinical management. Despite major developments in understanding it's pathogenesis, pathological landmarks, non-motor features and potential paraclinical clues, the most accepted diagnostic criteria remain solidly based on a combination of clinical signs. Here, we review this process, discussing its history, clinical criteria, differential diagnoses, ancillary diagnostic testing, and the role of non-motor and pre-motor signs and symptoms.

Keywords

• Parkinson Disease
• Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive
• Multiple System Atrophy
• Atherosclerotic Parkinsonism
• Secondary Parkinsonism
• Doença de Parkinson
• Paralisia Supranuclear Progressiva
• Atrofia de Múltiplos Sistemas
• Parkinsonismo Secundário
• Parkinsonismo Aterosclerótico