Parkinson's: Wrong Diagnosis! -- Research Summary | Medical News and Health Information

One of my favorite television shows is “House,” about an irascible doctor who is a superior diagnostician, and this week we have two stories about doctors doing similar things in real life. Take a look at our report from Barrow Neurological Institute, “Parkinson’s: Wrong Diagnosis!” where Dr. Joseph Zabramski explains how a neurological disease called normal pressure hydrocephalus, or NPH, can mimic the symptoms of Parkinson’s, dementia and Alzheimer’s, but how one in every 200 adults over the age of 65 may have NPH instead, requiring totally different treatment.

Parkinson's: Wrong Diagnosis! -- Research Summary

BACKGROUND: Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) affects more than one in every 200 adults over the age of 55. This condition is characterized by an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within cavities (called ventricles) inside the brain. When the path of the CSF is blocked, fluid begins to accumulate, causing the ventricles to enlarge and the pressure inside the head to increase. This disease is commonly mistaken for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's or simply old age because of the similarity in symptoms. (SOURCE: Hydrocephalus Association)

SYMPTOMS: The symptoms of NPH include gait disturbances ranging from a mild imbalance to an inability to walk or stand; mild dementia that includes loss of interest in daily activities and forgetfulness; and impairment in bladder control, ranging from urinary frequency and urgency to total loss of bladder control. (SOURCE: Barrow Neurological Institute)

TREATMENT: The good news is that once detected and treated, the symptoms are reversed. This condition is treated through a procedure where a shunt is placed in the brain to absorb the excess fluid that's causing the NPH. (SOURCE: Hydrocephalus Association)

PARKINSON'S VS. NPH: According to the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of California, Irvine, it’s often difficult to tell the difference because the symptoms of NPH are in many ways similar to those of Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. Older patients with NPH appear not to have involuntary movements; tremors; tingling or pain in the hands and feet; or numbness associated with Parkinson's disease or other neurological conditions. However, a feeling of weakness in the arms and legs and stiffness in gait is not uncommon for patients with NPH. Also, cognitive decline in those with NPH appears late or not at all. MORE


FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Carmelle Malkovich, Public Relations
Barrow Neurological Institute
(602) 406-3319
Carmelle.Malkovich@CHW.EDU

Parkinson's: Wrong Diagnosis! -- Research Summary | Medical News and Health Information