Learn About Secondary Parkinsonism
Secondary parkinsonism is when symptoms similar to Parkinson disease are caused by certain medicines, a different nervous system disorder, or another illness.
Parkinsonism refers to any condition that involves the types of movement problems seen in Parkinson disease. These problems include tremors, slow movement, and stiffness of the arms and legs.
Parkinsonism - secondary; Atypical Parkinson disease
Secondary parkinsonism may be caused by health problems, including:
- Brain injury
- Diffuse Lewy body disease (a type of dementia)
- Encephalitis
- HIV/AIDS
- Meningitis
- Multiple system atrophy
- Progressive supranuclear palsy
- Stroke
- Wilson disease
Other causes of secondary parkinsonism include:
- Brain damage caused by anesthesia drugs (such as during surgery)
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Certain medicines used to treat mental disorders or nausea (metoclopramide and prochlorperazine)
- Mercury poisoning and other chemical poisonings
- Overdoses of narcotics
- MPTP (a contaminant in some street drugs)
There have been rare cases of secondary parkinsonism among IV drug users who injected a substance called MPTP, which can be produced when making a form of heroin.
Common symptoms include:
- Decrease in facial expressions
- Difficulty starting and controlling movement
- Loss or weakness of movement (paralysis)
- Soft voice
- Stiffness of the trunk, arms, or legs
- Tremor
Confusion and memory loss may be likely in secondary parkinsonism. This is because many diseases that cause secondary parkinsonism also lead to dementia.
If the condition is caused by a medicine, the provider may recommend changing or stopping the medicine.
Treating underlying conditions, such as stroke or infections, can reduce symptoms or prevent the condition from getting worse.
If symptoms make it hard to do everyday activities, the provider may recommend medicine. Medicines used to treat this condition can cause severe side effects. It is important to see the provider for check-ups. Secondary parkinsonism tends to be less responsive to medical therapy than Parkinson disease.
Division Of Pediatric Neurology
Philippe Huot is in Montreal, Canada. Huot is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Secondary Parkinsonism. He is also highly rated in 5 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Secondary Parkinsonism, Neurotoxicity Syndromes, Herpes Zoster Oticus, and Drug Induced Dyskinesia.
VA Healthcare
James Morley is a Neurologist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Morley is rated as an Elite doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Secondary Parkinsonism. He is also highly rated in 3 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Secondary Parkinsonism, Parkinson's Disease, Anosmia, and Chorea. He is licensed to treat patients in Pennsylvania.
University Health Network
Tom Johnston is in Toronto, Canada. Johnston is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Secondary Parkinsonism. He is also highly rated in 5 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Neurotoxicity Syndromes, Secondary Parkinsonism, Herpes Zoster Oticus, and Drug Induced Dyskinesia.
Unlike Parkinson disease, some types of secondary parkinsonism may stabilize or even improve if the underlying cause is treated. Some brain problems, such as Lewy body disease, are not reversible.
This condition may lead to these problems:
- Difficulty doing daily activities
- Difficulty swallowing (eating)
- Disability (varying degrees)
- Injuries from falls
- Side effects of medicines used to treat the condition
Side effects from loss of strength (debilitation):
- Breathing food, fluid, or mucus into the lungs (aspiration)
- Blood clot in a deep vein (deep vein thrombosis)
- Malnutrition
Contact the provider if:
- Symptoms of secondary parkinsonism develop, come back, or get worse.
- New symptoms appear, including confusion and movements that cannot be controlled.
- You are unable to care for the person at home after treatment starts.
Treating conditions that cause secondary parkinsonism may decrease the risk.
People taking medicines that can cause secondary parkinsonism should be carefully monitored by the provider to prevent the condition from developing.
Published Date : February 04, 2020
Published By : Amit M. Shelat, DO, FACP, FAAN, Attending Neurologist and Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 09/28/2021.
Fox SH, Katzenschlager R, Lim SY, et al; Movement Disorder Society Evidence-Based Medicine Committee. International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society evidence-based medicine review: update on treatments for the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Mov Disord. 2018;33(8):1248-1266. PMID: 29570866 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29570866/.
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