How is Parkinson’s disease diagnosed?

Parkinson’s disease is diagnosed primarily by symptoms, medical history, and a physical exam.^[1] Family medical history will also be reviewed, since a first-degree relative with Parkinson's disease increases the chance of diagnosis.^[2] There are currently no available tests for Parkinson’s disease. However, biomarkers that may be able to diagnose the disease before symptoms appear could be on the horizon.^[3] To be diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, an individual needs to have parkinsonism, which is defined as bradykinesia (slowness of movement) along with muscle rigidity, tremors at rest, or both.^[4] In cases where diagnosis of Parkinson’s isn’t conclusive based on a physical exam, an imaging technique may be used to identify neuronal changes in the brain that are specific for Parkinson’s disease.^[5]