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UnderstandingParkinson’sDiseaseTodd, diagnosed in 2006.SAMPLE COPYRIGHTED

What Are the Symptoms?The main symptoms of PD are:• Rigidity, or stiffness, in arms and legs• Tremor that is often most noticeable when theaffected limb is at rest• Poor balance and coordination• Bradykinesia, or slowness in starting movement,which may lead to less facial expression, changes inspeaking and voice quality, shuffling gait, smallerhandwriting, or trouble with fine finger movements,such as buttoning a shirtSymptoms vary from person to person. They usuallyappear gradually.How Is Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosed?No laboratory test or brain scan can definitivelydiagnose PD. Your physician will make a diagnosisbased on all of your symptoms and your neurologicexamination. It is vital to be diagnosed by a physicianexperienced in treating the disorder. Neurologists arephysicians who can make a diagnosis.Did you know?Neurologists are medical doctors who specializein disorders of the brain and nerves. They arethe specialists who most often diagnose and treatpeople with PD.SAMPLE COPYRIGHTED

What Are the Treatment Options?Much research is currently focused on finding treatmentsthat slow or stop PD. Although no medication currentlyexists that can do this, treatments are available to helpyou maximize your functioning. The treatments availabletoday have been proven to relieve bothersome symptomsof the disease and improve everyday function. There is nostandard or “best” treatment for PD. People can have a rangeof symptoms. You will need to work with your neurologistto find the treatment that is the best fit for your needs.MedicationsNo currently available medication has been adequatelyproven to slow the progression of PD. But manymedications can control symptoms. A neurologist willprescribe medications to manage your symptoms, but itmay take time and patience to identify the medicine anddosage that works best for you. These medications includemilder drugs such as selegiline, rasagiline, and amantadine.More potent drugs include levodopa and the dopamineagonists, including pramipexole and ropinirole. Somemedicines are used in combination with levodopa. Theseinclude rasagiline, selegiline, entacapone, and tolcapone.Side effects can occur. They may include nausea, vomiting,and lightheadedness. Restlessness, sleepiness, bad dreams,and hallucinations can also occur. Some drugs maycause changes in behavior, such as obsessive gambling orshopping. Changing the dosage or discontinuing certaindrugs usually improves these side effects. Because PD canchange over time, it is important to have regular evaluationsso that medications can be adjusted to address changingsymptoms.Deep Brain StimulationThe main non-drug treatment for PD is deep brainstimulation. Tiny electrodes are surgically implanted in thebrain. The electrodes are connected to a small control unitimplanted under the skin in the upper chest. Deep brainstimulation is an option for only about 10 percent to 20percent of people with PD. Your neurologist can tell you ifthis treatment might be helpful for you.SAMPLE COPYRIGHTED

For Family and FriendsPD takes a toll on the main caregiver, too. Theeffects can be both physically and emotionallyexhausting. If you are caring for a family memberor friend with PD, take care of yourself, aswell. Avoid the feeling that you have to do itall yourself. Get help from family, friends, andprofessionals. There are many support groupsavailable for caregivers. See Resources fororganizations to contact.Help Us Cure Brain DiseaseMake a Donation to ResearchThe American Brain Foundation supports vitalresearch and education to discover causes, improvedtreatments, and cures for brain and other nervoussystem diseases. To learn more or to make a donationto support research, visit www.CureBrainDisease.org.Make Your Voice HeardTo keep research advancing toward future cures andtreatments for brain disease, it is important for peopleaffected by neurologic disorders to advocate for moreresearch funding. Contact your members of Congressand ask them to support neurology research byincreasing funding for the National Institutes of Health(NIH). Look up your Congressional representatives atwww.senate.gov and www.house.gov. Your voice canmake a difference.Take Part in ResearchPeople are needed for clinical trials that can helpfind new treatments for neurologic disorders. Clinicaltrials are research studies. They help ensure that newdrugs are both safe and effective. Ask your neurologisthow to volunteer for a clinical trial. You can alsofind trials through patient organizations or theAmerican Academy of Neurology website atwww.aan.com/view/clinicaltrials.SAMPLE COPYRIGHTED

ResourcesAmerican Academy of Neurologywww.aan.com/patients(800) 879-1960The American Academy of Neurology website for patientsand caregivers offers a wealth of articles, information aboutevents and resources, and links to support groups, clinical trialinformation, and more.Neurology Now ® magazinewww.neurologynow.com(800) 879-1960Free magazine for patients and caregivers, courtesy of theAmerican Academy of Neurology. Stories about people livingwith neurologic disorders, the latest information on resourcesand treatments, and more.Navigating Life with Parkinson’s DiseaseA volume from the American Academy of Neurology’s NeurologyNow Books series published with Oxford University Pressis an in-depth resource for patients and caregivers living withParkinson’s disease. Published summer 2012.Parkinson’s Disease: A Guide for Patients and Familieswww.aan.com/patients(800) 879-1960Free DVD and guidebook from the Foundation for theAmerican Academy of Neurology for people who are newlydiagnosed.American Parkinson Disease Association, Inc.www.apdaparkinson.org(800) 223-2732The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Researchwww.michaeljfox.org(800) 708-7644National Parkinson Foundation, Inc.www.parkinson.org(800) 4PD-INFO (473-4636)Parkinson’s Action Networkwww.parkinsonsaction.org(800) 850-4726Parkinson Alliancewww.parkinsonalliance.org(800) 579-8440Parkinson’s Disease Foundationwww.pdf.org(800) 457-6676WE MOVEwww.wemove.org(347) 843-6132SAMPLE COPYRIGHTED

www.aan.com(800) 879-1960The American Academy of Neurology, an association of25,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, isdedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centeredneurologic care. For more information about the AmericanAcademy of Neurology, visit www.aan.com.Cover photo by Todd Bischoff©2012 American Academy of Neurology InstituteSAMPLE COPYRIGHTED