Parkinson's disease is a progressive, neurological disorder that typically strikes people age 60 and above but also can affect people as young as 30. Early diagnosis is important so patients can begin treatment, which can include medications, physical and occupational therapy and speech therapy. A CT scan is one test that may be ordered as part of the diagnostic workup.
Risk Factors
There are several risk factors for Parkinson's disease, although there is much still not known about the contributing causes. Age is the biggest risk factor. The older you are, the more likely you are to develop Parkinson's disease. According to "The Parkinson's Disease Treatment Book: Cause and Progression," experts in the field say that pesticide and herbicide exposure also appear to be a risk factor and for that reason farmers may be at higher risk for developing it. However, more research is needed in this area. Parkinson's also can be inherited, although having a close relative with the disease increases the chance of getting it by less than 5 percent.
Diagnosis
Parkinson's is a difficult disease to diagnose; there is no blood or urine test to determine its presence. Physicians, most often neurologists, perform a physical exam, primarily looking for changes in reflexes, coordination, balance and strength. One test that can be performed is a CT scan. Although Parkinson's disease does not show up on a CT scan, it can help to rule out other disease states such as brain tumor or stroke, the National Parkinson Foundation reports.
What to Expect if a CT Scan Is Ordered
The day of the test, contrast material is injected into a vein so the radiologist can take a good look at what is happening inside the brain. Common reactions to the contrast material are flushing and a metallic taste in the mouth; other side effects should be mentioned to the technologist. The technologist will guide the patient to lie still so accurate images of the brain can be captured. The results can help a doctor rule out other diseases, but the CT scan itself will not diagnose Parkinson's.
Parkinson's Effects and Symptoms
Parkinson's affects the part of the brain called the substantia nigra. When the dopamine-producing neurons in this part of the brain die off in sufficient number, the lack of this vital chemical produces the various symptoms collectively known as Parkinson's. Parkinson's is progressive, but the rate of this progression and the symptoms can vary widely from person to person. For example, resting tremor, often seen as a hallmark of Parkinson's, is not present in all people with the disease.
Brain Surgery and Use of the CT Scan
One procedure that can be done to reduce tremor is a type of brain surgery called thalamotomy. This procedure destroys a tiny area of the brain. A CT scan or MRI is used to find the right location for treatment. For example, if tremor is found on the person's right side, the left side of the brain would be treated. This surgery is only performed on patients under 65 who have normal cognitive abilities. A procedure called deep brain stimulation is much more commonly performed.
References
- Guide4Living: Diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease
- "The Parkinson's Disease Treatment Book: Cause and Progression"; J. Eric Ahlskog, M.D.; 2005
- National Parkinson Foundation: Thalamotomy
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