Related Conditions

Dyskinesia is uncontrolled, involuntary movement that can look like fidgeting or wriggling. In Parkinson's, dyskinesia can happen with long-term levodopa use and longer time with disease. Many new therapies are working to prevent or treat this complication.

Dystonia is painful muscle contractions that lead to abnormal postures. A symptom of Parkinson's and a movement disorder, dystonia affects about 500,000 people in the United States and Canada. Researchers are working to better understand and treat this condition.

People with Lewy body dementia (LBD) have the motor symptoms of Parkinson's but develop dementia (significant memory and/or thinking changes). Since Parkinson's and LBD share underlying biological changes, research into one may help treat the other.

This brain disease causes slowness, stiffness and walking problems, but people with multiple system atrophy also have more problems with the body's automatic functions (blood pressure, digestion). They also can have other symptoms, such as difficulty controlling emotions.

This brain disease causes movement, memory or thinking, and behavioral problems. Corticobasal degeneration (CBD) involves a build-up of a protein called tau. Scientists are working to measure and target tau with new treatments to stop CBD and other tau diseases.

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is another disease linked to a build-up of the tau protein. It causes movement symptoms, eye movement problems, and memory and thinking (cognitive) changes. Research into tau could help diagnose and treat PSP.