BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuSecondary parkinsonismParkinsonism - secondary; Atypical Parkinson diseaseSecondary 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.Parkinson diseaseParkinson disease results from certain brain cells dying. These cells help control movement and coordination. The disease leads to shaking (tremors...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Secondary parkinsonism may be caused by health problems, including:Brain injury Diffuse Lewy body disease (a type of dementia) DementiaDementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects one or more brain functions such as memory, thinking, language, j...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Encephalitis EncephalitisEncephalitis is irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the brain, most often due to infections.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDSHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When a person becomes infected with HIV, the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Meningitis MeningitisMeningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. This covering is called the meninges.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Multiple system atrophy Multiple system atrophyMultiple system atrophy- parkinsonian type (MSA-P) is a rare condition that causes symptoms similar to Parkinson disease. However, people with MSA-P...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Progressive supranuclear palsy Progressive supranuclear palsyProgressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a movement disorder that occurs from damage to certain nerve cells in the brain.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Stroke StrokeA stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack. " If blood flow is cut off for longer th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Wilson diseaseWilson diseaseWilson disease is an inherited disorder in which there is too much copper in the body's tissues. The excess copper damages the liver and nervous sys...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other causes of secondary parkinsonism include:Brain damage caused by anesthesia medicines (such as during surgery) Carbon monoxide poisoning Carbon monoxide poisoningCarbon monoxide is an odorless gas that causes thousands of deaths each year in North America. Breathing in carbon monoxide is very dangerous. It i...Read Article Now Book Mark Article 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) Symptoms 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 TremorTremorA tremor is a type of shaking movement. A tremor is most often noticed in the hands and arms. It may affect any body part, including the head, tong...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Confusion and memory loss may be likely in secondary parkinsonism. This is because many diseases that cause secondary parkinsonism also lead to dementia.DementiaDementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects one or more brain functions such as memory, thinking, language, j...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history and symptoms. Be aware that the symptoms may be hard to assess, particularly in older adults.Examination may show:Difficulty starting or stopping voluntary movements Tense muscles Problems with posture Slow, shuffling walk Tremors (shaking) Reflexes are usually normal.Tests may be ordered to check for other problems that can cause similar symptoms. Treatment 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. Outlook (Prognosis) 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. Possible Complications 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 medicinesEffects from loss of strength and mobility (debilitation):Breathing food, fluid, or mucus into the lungs (aspiration) AspirationAspiration means to draw in or out using a sucking motion. It has two meanings:Breathing in a foreign object (for example, sucking food into the air...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Blood clot in a deep vein (deep vein thrombosis) Deep vein thrombosisDeep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein deep inside a part of the body. DVT mainly affects the large...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MalnutritionMalnutritionMalnutrition is the condition that occurs when your body does not get enough nutrients.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional 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. Prevention 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.Open ReferencesReferencesFox 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 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29570866/.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; the American Academy of Neurology Guideline Subcommittee. Dopaminergic therapy for motor symptoms in early Parkinson disease practice guideline summary. Neurology. 2021;97(20). www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000012868.AllVideoImagesTogCentral nervous system and peripheral nervous system - illustration The central nervous system comprises the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system includes nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.Central nervous system and peripheral nervous systemillustrationCentral nervous system and peripheral nervous system - illustration The central nervous system comprises the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system includes nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.Central nervous system and peripheral nervous systemillustrationRelated Information Parkinson disease(Condition)Stroke(Condition)Encephalitis(Condition)Meningitis(Condition)Toxins(Special Topic)Abnormal hemoglobins testing(Medical Test)Aspiration(Special Topic)Deep vein thrombosis(Condition)Parkinson disease - InDepth(In-Depth)Stroke - InDepth(In-Depth)Viral encephalitis - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 1/23/2022 Reviewed By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Internal review and update on 02/23/24 by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Secondary parkinsonismParkinsonism - secondary; Atypical Parkinson diseaseSecondary 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.Parkinson diseaseParkinson disease results from certain brain cells dying. These cells help control movement and coordination. The disease leads to shaking (tremors...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Secondary parkinsonism may be caused by health problems, including:Brain injury Diffuse Lewy body disease (a type of dementia) DementiaDementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects one or more brain functions such as memory, thinking, language, j...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Encephalitis EncephalitisEncephalitis is irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the brain, most often due to infections.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDSHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When a person becomes infected with HIV, the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Meningitis MeningitisMeningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. This covering is called the meninges.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Multiple system atrophy Multiple system atrophyMultiple system atrophy- parkinsonian type (MSA-P) is a rare condition that causes symptoms similar to Parkinson disease. However, people with MSA-P...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Progressive supranuclear palsy Progressive supranuclear palsyProgressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a movement disorder that occurs from damage to certain nerve cells in the brain.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Stroke StrokeA stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack. " If blood flow is cut off for longer th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Wilson diseaseWilson diseaseWilson disease is an inherited disorder in which there is too much copper in the body's tissues. The excess copper damages the liver and nervous sys...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other causes of secondary parkinsonism include:Brain damage caused by anesthesia medicines (such as during surgery) Carbon monoxide poisoning Carbon monoxide poisoningCarbon monoxide is an odorless gas that causes thousands of deaths each year in North America. Breathing in carbon monoxide is very dangerous. It i...Read Article Now Book Mark Article 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) Symptoms 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 TremorTremorA tremor is a type of shaking movement. A tremor is most often noticed in the hands and arms. It may affect any body part, including the head, tong...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Confusion and memory loss may be likely in secondary parkinsonism. This is because many diseases that cause secondary parkinsonism also lead to dementia.DementiaDementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects one or more brain functions such as memory, thinking, language, j...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history and symptoms. Be aware that the symptoms may be hard to assess, particularly in older adults.Examination may show:Difficulty starting or stopping voluntary movements Tense muscles Problems with posture Slow, shuffling walk Tremors (shaking) Reflexes are usually normal.Tests may be ordered to check for other problems that can cause similar symptoms. Treatment 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. Outlook (Prognosis) 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. Possible Complications 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 medicinesEffects from loss of strength and mobility (debilitation):Breathing food, fluid, or mucus into the lungs (aspiration) AspirationAspiration means to draw in or out using a sucking motion. It has two meanings:Breathing in a foreign object (for example, sucking food into the air...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Blood clot in a deep vein (deep vein thrombosis) Deep vein thrombosisDeep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein deep inside a part of the body. DVT mainly affects the large...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MalnutritionMalnutritionMalnutrition is the condition that occurs when your body does not get enough nutrients.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional 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. Prevention 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.Open ReferencesReferencesFox 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 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29570866/.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; the American Academy of Neurology Guideline Subcommittee. Dopaminergic therapy for motor symptoms in early Parkinson disease practice guideline summary. Neurology. 2021;97(20). www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000012868.