Secondary ParkinsonismSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Secondary Parkinsonism
View Main Condition: Movement Disorders
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 medicines (such as during surgery)
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Certain medicines used to treat mental disorders or nausea (for example, metoclopramide and prochlorperazine)
- Mercury poisoning and other chemical poisonings
- Overdoses of narcotics
- MPTP (a contaminant in some street drugs)
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, your 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, your provider may recommend medicine. Medicines used to treat this condition can cause severe side effects. It is important to see your provider for check-ups. Secondary parkinsonism tends to be less responsive to medical therapy than Parkinson disease.
Reading Hospital Neurology Suite 104
. Dr. Lamichhane is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Secondary Parkinsonism. He is also highly rated in 64 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Movement Disorders, Parkinson's Disease, Secondary Parkinsonism, and Supranuclear Ophthalmoplegia. Dr. Lamichhane is board certified in American Board Of Psychiatry And Neurology.
Aurora Neuroscience Innovation
Taylor Finseth is a Neurologist practicing medicine in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Dr. Finseth is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Secondary Parkinsonism. He is also highly rated in 24 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Camptocormism, Parkinson's Disease, Movement Disorders, and Conversion Disorder. Dr. Finseth is board certified in American Board Of Psychiatry & Neurology.
Atrium Health Neurology Specialty Care, A Facility Of Carolinas Medical Center
Danielle Doggett is a Neurologist practicing medicine in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Doggett is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Secondary Parkinsonism. She is also highly rated in 19 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Parkinson's Disease, Movement Disorders, Essential Tremor, Drug Induced Dyskinesia, and Deep Brain Stimulation. Dr. Doggett is board certified in American Board Of Psychiatry And Neurology. Dr. Doggett is currently accepting new patients.
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 performing daily activities
- Difficulty swallowing or eating
- Disability (differs from person to person)
- Injuries from falls
- Pneumonia from breathing in saliva or from choking on food
- Side effects of medicines
Effects from loss of strength and mobility (debilitation):
- Breathing food, fluid, or mucus into the lungs (aspiration)
- Blood clot in a deep vein (deep vein thrombosis)
- Malnutrition
Contact your 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 their provider to prevent the condition from developing.
Published Date: March 31, 2024
Published By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Jankovic J. Parkinson disease and other movement disorders. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 96.
Ostrem JL, Okun MS. Parkinsonism. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 378.
Pringsheim T, Day GS, Smith DB, et al. Guideline Subcommittee of the AAN. Dopaminergic Therapy for Motor Symptoms in Early Parkinson Disease Practice Guideline Summary: A Report of the AAN Guideline Subcommittee. Neurology. 2021 Nov 16;97(20):942-957. PMID: 34782410 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34782410/.