Parkinson's Disease
Diagnosis
A diagnosis for this disease generally includes an assessment of symptoms and a series of tests. There is no single test to clearly identify the disease.
Tests administered may include:
- Blood or urine tests
- An electrocardiogram (ECG)
- X-rays
- Other imaging tests, such as a positron emission tomography (PET) scan or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
The imaging tests are generally quick and painless. They use diagnostic cameras and recording devices to produce images of organs and tissues inside your body.
If you've been diagnosed with Parkinson's already, these tests can help determine if you have the classic form or an atypical form of the disease.
If you doctor suspects you have Parkinson's disease, he or she may prescribe anti-Parkinson's drugs to see if you respond.
UCSF Health medical specialists have reviewed this information. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider.