How is Parkinson's diagnosed?

Parkinson's tends to develop gradually and it can be a number of months or even years before the symptoms become obvious enough for a person to consult a doctor.

The NICE Guideline for Parkinson's disease (which covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland) states that people with suspected Parkinson's should be referred quickly (within 6 weeks) and untreated to a specialist with expertise in the differential diagnosis of this condition. The Guideline also recommends that the diagnosis of Parkinson's should be reviewed regularly (every 6 to 12 months).

It is not easy to diagnose Parkinson's, as there are no special tests that can prove whether or not someone has the condition. Diagnosis is usually based on medical history and a clinical examination of the person. The symptoms of Parkinson's can have other causes and laboratory tests and scans may be carried out to rule these out.