Parkinson's Disease - Diagnosis

(Page 3)

Drugs. Certain drugs or medications account for about 4% of all cases of parkinsonism. According to some studies, patients who experience drug-induced parkinsonism may actually be at an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease later in life. A number of drugs can cause these symptoms, including antipsychotic and antiseizure drugs. Anyone with parkinsonism should discuss their medications with their doctor.

Tests for Depression and Dementia

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) recommends the Beck Depression Inventory or the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale to screen for depression in patients with Parkinson’s disease. The AAN recommends the MMSE and CAMCOG tests to screen for dementia. During these tests, the patient answers a series of questions.

Review Date: 05/22/2006
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

---

---