Symptoms Symptoms of Parkinson's disease include involuntary tremors, slow movements, stooped posture and difficulty walking. These symptoms may become severe enough to interfere with the person's ability to walk, write or even get dressed. There are no diagnostic tests to verify Parkinson's disease.
Proper diagnosis is based on the experience of the neurologist.
Blood tests or MRI may be used to exclude other conditions which can mimic Parkinson's. However, a definite diagnosis of Parkinson's disease is only possible by conducting a microscopic examination of the brain after death. The University of Chicago Hospitals offer standard, innovative and investigational treatments for Parkinson's disease. Until recently, standard drug treatment has focused on replacing the dopamine to restore the neurotransmitter function. Levodopa is a precursor to dopamine, meaning that it converts to dopamine in the brain.