Parkinsons Disease

Course overview

While the cause, risks and characteristics of Parkinson’s disease are well defined in recent movement disorder diagnostic guidelines, there is no definitive test that can confirm a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease during a person's life. The diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease remains a clinical one, confirmed only after autopsy. Clinicians treat based on clinical observation and close follow up of symptoms, and must be well informed of the changing medical options to help prolong and improve quality of life for those diagnosed with the disease. Successful pharmacotherapy of Parkinson’s disease depends on the ability of clinicians to accurately recognize characteristic signs of the disease, and to successfully function within an interdisciplinary team that includes primary care and neurology medicine to arrive at the right diagnosis.