The American Academy of Neurology developed new guidelines aimed to educate physicians on the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson's disease and to provide Parkinson's disease patients with an improved quality of life.

The guidelines were released at the American Academy of Neurology 58th Annual Meeting in San Diego, California on April 1 - 8, 2006, and published in the journal Neurology. The guidelines were developed through a rigorous, comprehensive review of all of the scientific evidence available on Parkinson disease.

"It is possible to improve the quality of life for people with Parkinson disease," said guideline author and Parkinson expert William J. Weiner, MD, FAAN, of the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. "The guidelines provide recommendations for: making the correct diagnosis as early as possible, making the best use of time-tested and effective therapies to improve motor function, and screening for and treating depression, psychosis and dementia-common symptoms of Parkinson disease that often are left untreated."

Parkinson's disease is primarily due to the insufficient formation and action of dopamine, a substance produced in the dopaminergic neurons in the brain. This disease involves a progressive disorder of the extrapyramidal system, which controls and adjusts communication between neurons in the brain and muscles in the human body. It also commonly involves depression and disturbances of sensory systems.

The disease is often misdiagnosed that's why these new guidelines will help doctors correctly diagnose Parkinson disease earlier and more accurately in order for neurologists to suggest treatments and lifestyle changes to better manage and treat the disease.

Read the AAN press release.