(January 11, 2010 - Insidermedicine)

Different brain diseases that cause symptoms similar to those associated with Parkinson's disease can be distinguished from one another through a type of brain scan known as positron emission tomography, or PET, according to research published online ahead of print in The Lancet Neurology.


Here is some information about Parkinson's disease:

•    It belongs to a group of disorders known as motor system or movement disorders

•    It is caused by damage of unknown cause to a part of the brain responsible for movement

•    Key symptoms include tremor or trembling of the limbs, rigidity or stiffness, slowness of movement; and impaired balance and coordination.

Researchers from the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in Manhasset conducted PET scans on the brains of over 150 patients with symptoms of Parkinson's disease but whose diagnosis was not certain. They then used an automated image-based classification procedure to estimate the likelihood that the patients were indeed suffering from Parkinson's disease or whether they had one of two other brain diseases that cause similar symptoms. The patients next underwent regular assessments by a movement disorders specialist for an average of 2 to 6 years in order to confirm their diagnosis.

PET scanning differentiated Parkinson's disease from the other two brain disorders with a high degree of accuracy. In fact, when the test indicated that the patient had Parkinson's disease, the likelihood that this was indeed the case was 98%. The accuracy was so high, in fact, that the researchers say it could be used as a diagnostic tool.

Today's research offers a method for differentiating Parkinson's disease from other brain disorders that have similar symptoms. Accurate diagnosis is important for ensuring that patients receive appropriate treatment and/or that they participate in the appropriate clinical trials.