Diagnostics

Parkinson’s disease often starts with non-specific complaints. Therefore, the diagnosis not only requires an exact and detailed medical history - preferably relatives and family should be involved in this process - but also a comprehensive clinical neurological examination and observation of the patient.

The use of state-of-the-art examination techniques makes an exact clinical classification of the various Parkinson’s syndromes possible. In addition to standard neurological diagnostics, specific diagnostic methods are performed for examining the fine motor skills and for the differentiation of the various forms of tremor (MLS, tremor analysis).

•    Transcranial ultrasound (Nigra sonography),
•     smelling tests and
•     sleep laboratories (polysomnography)

offer additional non-invasive methods which have proven useful in the early and differential diagnosis of Parkinson’s syndrome. In addition, there are neuropsychiatric tests and cognitive examinations available.

The supplementary examinations include:

•     Posturography (assessment of posture and
      balance reflexes),
•     Doppler sonography for the assessment of the peripheral
      and central blood circulation and
•     Internal medical diagnosis with ECG and
      long-term blood pressure measurement

Imaging methods, such as computer or magnetic resonance tomography as well as SPECT and PET examinations are performed, if required, externally.

Standard neurological diagnostics

The standard neurological diagnostics include an EEG (recording of the brain's spontaneous electrical activity), the examination of the sensory and motor nerves (NCS, SEP, magnet simulation) and the study of the (AEP, VEP).