Atypical Parkinsonism

Atypical parkinsonisms are conditions in which an individual experiences some of the signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) -- tremor, slowness, rigidity (stiffness), and/or walking and balance problems -- but does not have PD.  Atypical parkinsonism can be due to certain medications (some anti-nausea and antipsychotic drugs), other brain disorders (repeated head injury or multiple small strokes) or neurodegenerative diseases.


The neurodegenerative diseases, which cause damage or death of brain cells, include

• Lewy body dementia, 
• progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), 
• corticobasal degeneration (CBD), and 
• multiple system atrophy (MSA). 

These conditions are often referred to as "Parkinson's plus" because they mimic PD but have extra associated symptoms (the "plus"). They can be misdiagnosed as Parkinson's disease because no blood or imaging test can, on its own, make a definitive diagnosis. (As with PD, the diagnosis is based on a person's medical history and physical examination.)   
For more information click on the following links:

• https://www.michaeljfox.org/understanding-parkinsons/living-with-pd/topic.php?atypical-parkinsonism&navid=atypical-parkinsonism

• https://www.brainsupportnetwork.org/education/atypical-parkinsons?gclid=Cj0KCQjwxNT8BRD9ARIsAJ8S5xY4Ny-vg6ApZaDqt2KLC6LG1r1pZXKD_ZLI4AGPWVV7prTNVSP_WsIaAjkzEALw_wcB 
• CurePSP   www.psp.org