Episode 172: Current Tools for Receiving a Parkinson’s Diagnosis

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a “clinical” diagnosis, based on a person’s medical history, symptoms, and physical exam. Although certain laboratory or imaging tests can be helpful in reaching a diagnosis, no single test can confirm PD. Among the tests currently used to support a PD diagnosis, or to rule out other conditions that can mimic PD, are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, the dopamine transporter scan (DaTscan) to look at how dopamine is transported in certain areas of the brain, Syn-One, or skin biopsies, and blood work.

Sometimes, a PD diagnosis is straightforward based on the presence of certain symptoms, but in other cases, it may take a number of clinic visits to make a definitive diagnosis. The best way to ensure a correct diagnosis of PD, or a similar condition, is to see a neurologist specializing in movement disorders. One of the leading Parkinson’s specialists is Dr. Michael Okun, National Medical Advisor for the Parkinson’s Foundation and Director of the Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at the University of Florida in Gainesville. In this podcast episode, he explains some of the current tools for making a Parkinson’s diagnosis, how they are used, and some of their limitations.

Released: October 22, 2024

Michael S. Okun obtained his MD and co-founded the movement disorders program at the University of Florida in 2002. He is the former Chair of Neurology and currently one of only 5 faculty to ever hold the rank and honor of Distinguished Professor at the College of Medicine. He is the Executive Director and co-founder of the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at the University of Florida Health. Dr. Okun has served as the National Medical Director and most recently as the Medical Advisor for the Parkinson’s Foundation since 2006 as well as Medical Advisor to Tyler’s Hope for a Dystonia Cure. He has been supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, the Smallwood Foundation, the Tourette Association of America, the Parkinson Alliance, the Bachmann-Strauss Foundation, the Parkinson’s Foundation, and the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Dr. Okun has an active research career and has been an integral part of some of the pioneering studies exploring the cognitive, behavioral, and mood effects of DBS and brain stimulation, and since 2005 his laboratory has been working to uncover the electrical brain signals associated with human tic. He has partnered with Drs Ayse Gunduz and Kelly Foote to develop first generation closed loop adaptive deep brain stimulation approaches for many disorders. He and his group have contributed data to support the FDA approval of several device related approaches now used to treat human disease. Dr. Okun holds the Adelaide Lackner Professorship in Neurology and has published over 500 peer reviewed articles. He is a poet (Lessons From the Bedside, 1995) and his book, Parkinson's Treatment: 10 Secrets to a Happier Life was translated into over 20 languages. His most recent co-authored books include Ending Parkinson’s Disease: A Prescription for Action and Living with Parkinson's Disease. Dr. Okun was recognized in a 2015 White House ceremony by the Obama administration as a Champion of Change for Parkinson’s Disease.

This podcast is sponsored by Biogen’s Luma study. For more information, go to LumaStudy.com.

About Michael S. Okun

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