Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of ParkinsonismPseudoparkinsonism SymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Parkinsonism
Pseudoparkinsonism Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Coping
Pseudoparkinsonism, also known as drug-induced parkinsonism, is a reversible condition that resembles parkinsonism. Parkinsonism refers to any condition that causes the movement irregularities seen inParkinson’s disease, a brain disorder.
Verywell / Laura Porter
Pseudoparkinsonism is a condition that resembles parkinsonism. There are several types of parkinsonism, including:
Types of Parkinson’s Disease
Symptoms of pseudoparkinsonism are often very similar to those of Parkinson’s disease. Classicsigns of Parkinson’s diseaseinclude:
While resting tremors are common in patients with Parkinson’s disease, they are not as common in pseudoparkinsonism. This is one way to tell the two conditions apart during the diagnostic process.
Another way to distinguish between Parkinson’s disease and pseudoparkinsonism is to observe for nonmotor symptoms. In Parkinson’s disease, there are additional changes, such as excessive sleepiness (hyposomnia) and other sleep disturbances. Other nonmotor symptoms common only in Parkinson’s disease include bowel and bladder dysfunction, as well as attention deficit.
Pseudoparkinsonism symptoms may also include cognitive changes. Studies have shown that the severity of drug-induced parkinsonism is related to the severity of the cognitive symptoms. Since there is cognitive impairment in both Parkinson’s disease and pseudoparkinsonism, it is difficult to distinguish between the two based on cognitive performance alone.
Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
While pseudoparkinsonism, parkinsonism, and Parkinson’s disease share many of the same symptoms, their causes are different.
Parkinson’s disease is a motor system disease that occurs when the nerve cells in the brain do not produce enoughdopamine.Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that is necessary for making smooth, purposeful motions.
Medications that are most likely to cause drug-induced parkinsonism are ones that block dopamine receptors in the brain. When this occurs, the brain is still producing an adequate supply of dopamine, but cells cannot utilize it properly. Without enough available dopamine, the body is unable to make smooth, purposeful movements.
What Conditions Are Treated with Dopamine Agonists?
There is no specific test to differentiate drug-induced parkinsonism from parkinsonism or Parkinson’s disease. Your doctor will take a detailed history and then perform aneurological examto determine the right diagnosis.
During the history portion of the exam, your doctor will ask about your symptoms. Be prepared to describe each symptom and when it started.
Your doctor will ask you for a list of medications you are taking, paying special attention to any new drugs that could be causing your symptoms.
Your doctor will likely order additional tests to rule out other causes of your symptoms, including:
It’s helpful to remember that diagnosing drug-induced parkinsonism is a complex process that often takes time. The same goes for Parkinson’s disease, which presents with similar symptoms as drug-induced parkinsonism. Research shows that Parkinson’s disease is misdiagnosed in 6% to 25% of cases.
What Is a SPECT Scan?
When the medication can safely be stopped, your doctor will give you a schedule to slowly do that. It’s important to follow the schedule and never stop a prescription medication suddenly. If you begin to develop new symptoms as you wean yourself off the medication, talk to your doctor.
If the medication cannot be stopped for other health reasons, your doctor may discuss other treatment options with you. Sometimes drug-induced parkinsonism symptoms continue even after the medication has been discontinued.
Further treatment for drug-induced parkinsonism may include:
It’s important to note that some treatments for Parkinson’s disease are not as effective in treating drug-induced parkinsonism. For example, the drug levodopa is commonly used to treat Parkinson’s disease, but may not improve symptoms of parkinsonism or pseudoparkinsonism.Your doctor will work with you to determine a treatment plan and then make changes as needed.
Parkinson’s Disease Treatment
Drug-induced parkinsonism usually resolves once the drug that is causing it is discontinued. A 2012 study found that symptoms usually resolve within weeks to months of stopping the medication. However, it’s important to note that some or all of the symptoms continue in 10% to 50% of patients even after the drug is stopped.
Patients who experience a full recovery are considered to have true drug-induced parkinsonism. If you or a loved one continue to experience symptoms or recover but later develop the symptoms again, you may be considered to be in the early stages of parkinsonism or Parkinson’s disease.
Working closely with your neurologist is important as you gradually stop the medications causing your symptoms and recover.
What Are the Stages of Parkinson’s Disease?
Being diagnosed with and treated for drug-induced parkinsonism can be a long journey. The diagnostic process may involve several tests and a lot of waiting. Find ways for stress relief, including connecting with loved ones, performing gentle physical activity, and meeting with a licensed therapist.
You may find that your daily tasks are too difficult right now. Reach out to family and friends for help with grocery shopping, housekeeping, and yard work, if possible. Creating a list of priorities for the day, while taking into account how much you can accomplish, may help as well.
Impact of Parkinson’s Disease on Relationships
Summary
If you have recently developed symptoms of pseudoparkinsonism such as slow movements or muscle stiffness, talk with your doctor. If you have recently started a new medication, your symptoms could be because of the drug. Your doctor will work with you to determine if you are experiencing pseudoparkinsonism and how to safely stop the medication.
A Word From Verywell
Once you have been diagnosed with pseudoparkinsonism, you will likely go through a range of emotions. Experiencing the motor and cognitive changes of pseudoparkinsonism can be frightening, especially when you do not know how long they will last.
It’s helpful to remember that pseudoparkinsonism symptoms usually resolve within weeks to months after discontinuing the drug that is causing them. Work closely with your neurologist to address your symptoms and connect with a support network during your recovery process.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Baylor Medicine.Atypical parkinsonism.Brigo F, Erro R, Marangi A, Bhatia K, Tinazzi M.Differentiating drug-induced parkinsonism from Parkinson’s disease: an update on non-motor symptoms and investigations.Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2014 Aug;20(8):808-14. doi:10.1016/j.parkreldis.2014.05.011National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Parkinson’s disease information page.MedlinePlus.Parkinson’s disease.Suwijn SR, van Boheemen CJ, de Haan RJ, Tissingh G, Booij J, de Bie RM.The diagnostic accuracy of dopamine transporter SPECT imaging to detect nigrostriatal cell loss in patients with Parkinson’s disease or clinically uncertain parkinsonism: a systematic review.EJNMMI Res. 2015 Mar 17;5:12. doi:10.1186/s13550-015-0087-1Shin HW, Chung SJ.Drug-induced parkinsonism.J Clin Neurol. 2012 Mar;8(1):15-21. doi:10.3988/jcn.2012.8.1.15Parkinson’s Foundation.Coping with a diagnosis.
Baylor Medicine.Atypical parkinsonism.
Brigo F, Erro R, Marangi A, Bhatia K, Tinazzi M.Differentiating drug-induced parkinsonism from Parkinson’s disease: an update on non-motor symptoms and investigations.Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2014 Aug;20(8):808-14. doi:10.1016/j.parkreldis.2014.05.011
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Parkinson’s disease information page.
MedlinePlus.Parkinson’s disease.
Suwijn SR, van Boheemen CJ, de Haan RJ, Tissingh G, Booij J, de Bie RM.The diagnostic accuracy of dopamine transporter SPECT imaging to detect nigrostriatal cell loss in patients with Parkinson’s disease or clinically uncertain parkinsonism: a systematic review.EJNMMI Res. 2015 Mar 17;5:12. doi:10.1186/s13550-015-0087-1
Shin HW, Chung SJ.Drug-induced parkinsonism.J Clin Neurol. 2012 Mar;8(1):15-21. doi:10.3988/jcn.2012.8.1.15
Parkinson’s Foundation.Coping with a diagnosis.
Merriam Webster.Pseudoparkinsonism.
Shiraiwa N, Tamaoka A, Ohkoshi N.Clinical features of drug-induced Parkinsonism.Neurol Int. 2018 Dec 20;10(4):7877. doi:10.4081/ni.2018.7877
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