Other disease may cause symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease. The term Parkinsonism is used to indicate a patient has symptoms similar to Parkinson’s. Approximately 15% of Parkinsonism is due to diseases other than Parkinson’s disease.
Diagnosing Parkinson Related Diseases
Early in the disease process it may be difficult to distinguish between Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson-like diseases. Frequently the correct diagnosis can only be made after further symptoms develop and the physician is able to monitor the course of the disease. The development of additional symptoms and the subsequent course of the disease generally points to the correct diagnosis.
Parkinsonism Diseases
There is no cure or known cause for the following Parkinson-like diseases. Parkinsonism other than Parkinson’s Disease should be considered particularly in patients with:
- Poor response to dopamine
- Early loss of balance
- Prominent intellectual changes – dementia
- Rapid onset or progression
- Rapid decrease in blood pressure resulting in dizziness when standing up
- Urinary and bowel incontinence
- Little or no tremor
Supranuclear Palsy (PSP)
Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is one of the more common forms of Parkinsonism. Its symptoms usually begin after age 50 and progresses more rapidly than Parkinson’s disease. Symptoms may also include balance difficulties, sudden falls, an impaired ability to perform certain voluntary eye movements and visual disturbances. Individuals may experience slurred speech, swallowing difficulties and personality changes. Dementia develops later in the disease. Parkinson’s medications are often tried and may provide some benefit. Speech and physical therapy are important for the management of PSP.
Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)
Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) is a collective term for several rare disorders in which multiple systems in the body deteriorate. The mean age of onset is in the mid-50s. Symptoms may include lack of coordination, poor balance, abnormal autonomic function, slow movement (Bradykinesia) and rigidity. Patients respond poorly to Parkinson’s disease medications.
Lewy Bodies Disease (LBD) or Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB)
Lewy Bodies Disease (LBD) or Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) is a neurodegenerative disorder that results in progressive and fluctuating cognitive changes and functional deterioration. Its symptoms include early dementia, hallucinations, poor attention span and problem-solving skills, and Parkinsonism. There are no known therapies to stop or slow the progress of LBD. Many people with LBD enjoy significant improvement of their symptoms with a comprehensive approach to treatment, and some can have a remarkably little change from year to year. Some people with LBD are extremely sensitive or may react negatively to certain medications used to treat Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s in addition.
Source: https://www.parkinsonrockies.org/related-diseases
The clinical and clinical research faculty at NCI specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of the cognitive, neuropsychiatric and neurobehavioral disorders of Parkinson’s disease and parkinsonism syndromes.
Treatment for Neurodegenerative Diseases at NCI
An Interdisciplinary Clinical Team Approach
We use a multi-layered treatment approach when treating neurodegeneratives disorders. Patients are treated by an interdisciplinary team of clinicians that includes: a clinical neuropsychologist, a clinical psychologist or behaviorist, a cognitive rehab/speech language therapist and a neuromodulation clinician.
We provide a comprehensive combination of traditional, complementary, as well as, experimental treatments not typically available at any other clinics. For instance, when treating cognitive disorders we typically treat by combining cognitive rehabilitation, with cognitive enhancers, and one or more forms of neuromodulation superimposed on comprehensive behavioral health plan that utilizes specific nutrition requirements, heart-rate variability training, maximizing sleep and the reduction of stress. Similar combination therapies are used for treating a variety of neuropsychiatric conditions such as OCD, as well as, in the treatment of chronic pain and fatigue.
Some of these treatments and consultation options include:
Neurocognitive Rehabilitation
Patients admitted to the cognitive rehabilitation program enter a module based on their primary type of cognitive impairment, e.g., the Attention, Working Memory and Executive System impairment module. Each patient will receive specific treatments for this type of cognitive disorder using a combination of remedial, adaptive and compensatory interventions that have been developed at the NeuroCognitive Institute for their module.
Neuromodulation
We often combine cognitive and language rehabilitation with neuromodulation. Neuromodulation is evolving as a treatment option for treating the cognitive, behavioral and psychiatric symptoms and deficits resulting from neurodegeneratives disorders.
Techniques include invasive procedures such as deep brain stimulation and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), as well as, non-invasive techniques such as transcranial direct current stimulation tDCS, neurofeedback and rTMS.
At NCI, we only use non-invasive neuromodulation intervention combined with other rehabilitation interventions to enhance treatment response.
Speech and Language Therapy
Speech and language therapy focuses on improving speech and abilities to understand and express language.
NCI has speech therapists who can help assess speech delays, restore speech and language skills from young children to adults with neurodegeneratives disorders.
Behavioral Health Interventions
Behavioral health interventions focus on changing or modifying a patient’s lifestyle such as diet and introducing specific exercise programs to enhance cortical and cognitive functioning.
Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals
We use various medications to treat the cognitive, neurobehavioral and neuropsychiatric deficits and symptoms of neurodegeneratives disorders.
Contact Us
If you or know anyone who needs help, contact The NeuroCognitive Institute for assessment and treatment. Call (973) 601 0100 or sign up as a new patient and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
