How Do I Examine Nonmotor Aspects of Parkinson's Disease? What Not to Miss and What to Ignore?

Abstract

Nonmotor symptoms (NMS) of Parkinson's disease are a wide range of symptoms that occur well before the onset of the motor syndrome and are present right until the end of life. NMS could be classified to several types and broadly belong to dopaminergic, nondopaminergic, drug-induced subgroups and those related to motor response fluctuations. NMS are relatively under-recognized in clinical practice and can be rapidly assessed in the clinic by asking patients to complete the Non-Motor Symptoms Questionnaire (which can be downloaded from http://www.movementdisorders.org/MDS/Education/Rating-Scales/Rating-Scales-By-Disorder.htm) while they are waiting to be seen. The consultation thereafter can cover the important aspects of the symptoms that have been declared by the patient in addition to the management of the motor symptoms.