[ella138]

My friend told me yesterday that she has the beginnings of PD. Her mother had it. She is bipolar. I asked her how she knows, and she said her doctor told her because of her mother and her dopamine levels are low and her hands are shaky. Is this really a definitive way to diagnose PD? It just didn't sound right to me for some reason, but I have no prior experience with this disease. Are there conclusive tests that can determine this condition? Can certain drugs cause these same test results? I believe she is on a number of meds for her bipolar condition. I was also told that being bipolar her chances of having this is increased. Any info would be appreciated.

[Stitcher]

First I suggest she go to a Movement Disorder Specialist, rather than a general practice/family doctor or a general practice neurologist.

This page at the University of Maryland will give you and idea of what MAY be done at this appointment.
http://www.umm.edu/parkinsons/diagnosis.htm

An exam will include:

• finger tapping speed...index finger to thumb
• open and close hand
• the doctor will check for rigidity (which is what is pictured in the pic on the website above)
• walking will be evaluated
  the above is in part an evaluation so the Unified Parkinson's Diease Rating Scale (UPDRS) which is a scale used to evaluate the severity of PD
  http://www.mdvu.org/library/ratingscales/pd/updrs.pdf
  
  Questions would include:
  • sleep pattern
  • fatigue
  
  I am surely missing something, but someone else will surely correct me or add to my list.
  
  Good Luck!! I hope she gets a correct diagnosis and that it is something else, but if it is PD she is very welcome here.
  
  Carolyn
  

[Conductor71]

Originally Posted by ella138

I asked her how she knows, and she said her doctor told her because of her mother and her dopamine levels are low and her hands are shaky. Is this really a definitive way to diagnose PD? It just didn't sound right to me for some reason

Hi,

I concur with Carolyn that your friend see a Movement Disorder Specialist. To date, there is no biochemical test for PD. Diagnosis is made through observation by a specialist. Often in its early stages, PD diagnosis is very unclear as symptoms can be similar to that seen in other disorders.

Do you know how your friend knows her dopamine levels are low? The only way to measure this is through a PET scan that illuminates current levels of dopamine in the brain; however, it is mainly used in research and rarely used in diagnosis. Insurance companies do not always cover the costs of such a test, though from what I understand, some neurologists will order it if paid for out of pocket by the patient.

Good luck,

Laura

[super1950]

Some bipolar meds can cause shaky hands.

[vlhperry]

Dear Ella,

How nice of you to be so concerned for your friend. Here is a link to an article regarding your question.

http://www.emoryhealthcare.org/depar...pparkinson.pdf

The article states they have found no link. The advice you have been given is excellant. I would like to add one more piece. If the doctor is basing his diagonosis on the fact that your friend's mother had Parkinson's disease, perhaps he would like to confirm the diagnosis by writing out a request for Athenia Diagnostics to perform a genetic test to prove their is a positive link to Parkinson's disease via a shared mutation in the mother and child's Parkin gene. Unless he is willing to confirm your friend has a genetic form of PD passed down from her mother, his diagnosis will always be contested.