Atypical parkinsonism and other Parkinson-plus syndromes are often difficult to differentiate from PD and each other. They include multiple system atrophy (MSA), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and corticobasal degeneration (CBD). Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), may or may not be part of the PD spectrum, but it is increasingly recognized as the second-most common type of neurodegenerative dementia after Alzheimer's disease. These disorders are currently lumped into two groups, the synucleinopathies and the tauopathies.[4][5] They may coexist with other pathologies.[6]
Accurate diagnosis of these Parkinson-plus syndromes is improved when precise diagnostic criteria are used.[2] Since diagnosis of individual Parkinson-plus syndromes is difficult, the prognosis is often poor. Proper diagnosis of these neurodegenerative disorders is important as individual treatments vary depending on the condition. The nuclear medicineSPECT procedure using 123I‑iodobenzamide (IBZM), is an effective tool in the establishment of the differential diagnosis between patients with PD and Parkinson-plus syndromes.[9]
Treatments
Parkinson-plus syndromes are usually more rapidly progressive and less likely to respond to antiparkinsonian medication than PD.[10][11] However, the additional features of the diseases may respond to medications not used in PD.[citation needed]
Current therapy for Parkinson-plus syndromes is centered around a multidisciplinary treatment of symptoms.[12][13]
^ abcdMitra K.; Gangopadhaya P. K.; Das S. K. (2003). "Parkinsonism plus syndrome—a review". Neurol India. 51 (2): 183–188. PMID14570999.
^Vertes, Alex C.; Beato, Morris R.; Sonne, James; Khan Suheb, Mahammed Z. (2022). "Parkinson-plus Syndrome". StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. PMID36256760. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
^Mark, M. H. (2001). "Lumping and splitting the Parkinson Plus syndromes: dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy, and cortical-basal ganglionic degeneration". Neurologic Clinics. 19 (3): 607–27. doi:10.1016/S0733-8619(05)70037-2. PMID11532646.
^Molloy, F. M., & Healy, D. G. (2011). Parkinsonism Plus Syndromes. In O. Hardiman & C. P. Doherty (Eds.), Neurodegenerative Disorders (181-196). London: Springer London. doi:10.1007/978-1-84996-011-3_9