World Parkinson’s Day 2025: Experts Share Insights on Diagnosis and Management

Parkinson's Disease is a progressive movement disorder of the nervous system. It causes nerve cells (neurons) in parts of the brain to weaken, become damaged, and die, leading to symptoms that include problems with movement, tremor, stiffness, and impaired balance. As symptoms progress, people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) may have difficulty walking, talking, or completing other simple tasks. 

Parkinson's disease impacts over 10 million people globally, including an estimated one million in India.

James Parkinson’s An Essay on the Shaking Palsy, published in 1817, was the first to recognize Parkinson’s as a medical condition. His birthday, April 11th, is now commemorated as World Parkinson’s Day each year.

As awareness grows around the complexity of Parkinson’s disease, it becomes increasingly important to understand its wide-ranging effects—not just on movement but on overall quality of life. Experts across the country emphasize the need for early diagnosis, tailored treatment plans, and a compassionate, multidisciplinary approach.

MedBound Times connected with various leading neurologists and here's what they have to say about managing this challenging condition:

Dr. Ashutosh Rath

One of the most common myths about Parkinson’s disease is that it only affects the elderly and is just a 'shaking disorder.' In reality, Parkinson’s can affect people even in their 30s or 40s—a form known as Young-Onset Parkinson’s. Beyond tremors, the disease often presents with non-motor symptoms such as depression, sleep disturbances, and cognitive decline, which are frequently underrecognized but equally impactful.

Effective management goes beyond medication—it includes physiotherapy, mental health support, and patient education. A multidisciplinary approach is essential for preserving quality of life.

— Dr. Ashutosh Rath, Consultant Neurologist, Gurgaon

Dr. Christa Maria Joel

Parkinson’s disease impacts life both physically and mentally. It is a slowly progressive neurological condition caused by the loss of nerve cells in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra, which produces the chemical dopamine. Dopamine helps coordinate body movements, and when its levels drop drastically, symptoms such as slowed movements, tremors, and a masked facial expression begin to appear.

Parkinson's disease is primarily idiopathic, but environmental and genetic factors can contribute to its onset. It may be linked to genetic mutations, pollution, pesticides, or a combination of these factors. Certain medications, such as antipsychotics, can cause drug-induced parkinsonism, while preexisting conditions like progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, or even a stroke can also lead to Parkinsonism.

— Dr. Christa Maria Joel, Junior Resident Doctor, Neurology, Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Kerala

Dr. Leena Rajani

Delaying levodopa treatment can unnecessarily worsen the quality of life. While long-term use may cause dyskinesias (involuntary movements), doctors now tailor treatments to individual needs to ensure better management of symptoms.

— Dr. Leena Rajani, Consultant Neurologist, Medanta Hospital, Indore

Dr. Vivek Barun

Parkinson's disease is a progressive brain disorder caused by the degeneration or death of dopamine-producing neurons, which play a crucial role in movement. It is best known for causing slowed movements, tremors, and balance problems.

The symptoms of Parkinson's disease include both motor and non-motor symptoms. Non-motor symptoms often appear before motor symptoms and may include loss of sense of smell, constipation, and sleep disturbances such as restless leg syndrome and REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD). Common motor symptoms include slowness of movement, resting tremors (usually affecting the hands or legs), stiffness, and imbalance while walking.

— Dr. Vivek Barun, Consultant Neurologist and Epileptologist, Gurgaon

Dr. Anto Ignat Stany

There is no specific test to diagnose Parkinson’s disease; diagnosis is mainly clinical, with rest tremor and bradykinesia (slowness of movement) being the core features.

Neuroimaging, such as MRI, is used to rule out secondary causes of Parkinson’s, including vascular parkinsonism, normal pressure hydrocephalus, or chronic subdural hemorrhage. PET scans can help differentiate typical idiopathic Parkinson’s disease from Parkinson-plus syndromes like Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), and Corticobasal Ganglionic Degeneration (CBGD).

Management requires a multidisciplinary approach, including:

• Pharmacological treatment

• Physiotherapy for gait training, balance improvement, and fall prevention

• Speech, swallowing, and occupational therapy, as needed

• Surgical interventions like deep brain stimulation (DBS) in selected cases

A common misconception is that Parkinson’s is a normal part of aging, which is false. In reality, it is a neurodegenerative disease that can be well managed with medications and other therapies, significantly improving the quality of life.

— Dr. Anto Ignat Stany, Consultant Neurologist, St. Martha's Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Dr. Mansi Shah

Parkinson’s disease is caused by the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. The primary symptoms include slowness in movement, tremors, stiffness, and imbalance while walking.

On this World Parkinson’s Day, I want to reassure patients with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers that they are not alone in this journey—we are here to support them. Parkinson’s disease is a treatable condition, with many therapeutic options available, including advanced treatments such as deep brain stimulation (DBS).

Early diagnosis and timely initiation of treatment are crucial for maintaining a good quality of life.

— Dr. Mansi Shah, Consultant Neurologist, Parkinson’s disease & Movement Disorders Specialist, Wockhardt Hospitals

By Dr. Theresa Lily Thomas

_MSM