Parkinson's Disease
Diagnosis

A diagnosis for this disease generally includes an assessment of symptoms and a series of tests. There is no single test to clearly identify the disease.

Tests administered may include:

• Blood or urine tests
• An electrocardiogram (ECG)
• X-rays
• Other imaging tests, such as a positron emission tomography (PET) scan or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. These imaging tests are generally quick and painless. They use diagnostic cameras and recording devices to produce images of organs and tissue inside your body.

If you've been diagnosed with Parkinson's already, these tests can help determine if you have the classic form or an atypical form of the disease.

If you doctor suspects you have Parkinson's disease, he or she may prescribe anti-Parkinson's drug to see if you respond.

If you've been diagnosed with Parkinson's already, these tests can help determine if you have the classic form or an atypical form of the disease.

If you doctor suspects you have Parkinson's disease, he or she may prescribe anti-Parkinson's drug to see if you respond.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated May 24, 2012