Parkinson's Disease

What is Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disease that causes degeneration in your dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra region of your brain. Decreased dopamine production causes movement-related symptoms. The condition also damages the nerves that produce norepinephrine, the neurotransmitter responsible for many automatic functions of your body like your blood pressure. 

Parkinson’s disease progresses gradually, but with treatment, you can lead a long and fulfilling life. The precise cause of Parkinson’s disease isn’t known, but medical researchers have found that people with the condition have unusual clumps of proteins called Lewy bodies in their brains. 

What are the warning signs of Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease causes many symptoms that become progressively more disruptive over time. Some of the early warning signs of the disease include:

• Tremors in your fingers, hands, or foot
• Changes in your handwriting
• Limb stiffness or slow movement
• Voice changes
• Stooped posture
• Involuntary movements while sleeping

By the time you start to experience symptoms, your dopamine and norepinephrine producing brain cells are already damaged. However, the earlier you get a diagnosis and start treatment, the better your chances are of slowing the progression of your disease and extending your quality of life. 

How is Parkinson’s disease diagnosed?

Dr. Elkayam provides extensive testing to diagnose Parkinson’s disease. He begins by reviewing your medical history, overall health, lifestyle, and symptoms. While there’s no single test to identify Parkinson’s disease, Dr. Elkayam may order blood tests, MRIs, CT scans, or dopamine transporter (DAT) scan. He may also prescribe medication like carbidopa-levodopa to see if it relieves your symptoms. 

How is Parkinson’s disease treated?

There’s no cure for Parkinson’s disease yet, but Dr. Elkayam does offer customized treatment to slow the progression of your condition, reduce your symptoms, and restore your quality of life. For example, medication like carbidopa-levodopa, dopamine agonists, and amantadine can reduce your symptoms and slow the progression of your disease. 

Depending on the severity of your disease and whether or not medical treatment relieves your symptoms, Dr. Elkayam might suggest deep brain stimulation (DBS). DBS involves the surgical implantation of a small electrode in your brain, which can reduce your symptoms.

Call Ezra Elkayam MD Neurology to make an appointment today for expert diagnosis and treatment for Parkinson’s disease.