Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis are neurodegenerative diseases that affect your brain and spinal cord.
Multiple sclerosis occurs when your immune system attacks cells that cover your nerves. Parkinson’s is caused by the loss of dopamine-producing cells in a part of your brain called the substantia nigra.
Keep reading as we look at the similarities and differences between these two conditions and examine whether there’s a link between them.
Quick look at Parkinson’s vs. multiple sclerosis
Here’s a brief look at some of the main similarities and differences between Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
| Parkinson’s disease | Multiple sclerosis | |
| Symptoms | • Primarily causes tremors, slow movement, muscle stiffness, and balance problems | • Symptoms vary significantly and are unpredictable• Commonly include fatigue, trouble walking, and vision problems |
| Causes | • Loss of dopamine-producing cells in your brain• Genetic and environmental factors contribute | • Loss of the myelin cells that surround nerves in your brain and spinal cord due to an autoimmune reaction• Genetic and environmental factors contribute |
| Diagnosis | • No single test can be used• Diagnosis is made clinically by a doctor based on signs and symptoms• A DaTscan may be used to show evidence of loss of dopamine-producing cells | • No single test can be used• Diagnosis is made primarily by ruling out other potential conditions and examining your signs and symptoms |
| Treatment | • Medications to control symptoms• Lifestyle changes• Supportive therapies to improve problems with movement | • Some people don’t need any particular therapy• Primarily treated with corticosteroids to control inflammation and medications to slow disease progression |
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Causes of Parkinson’s vs. multiple sclerosis
The exact cause of multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s is not clear, and scientists are still trying to figure out whether they’re linked.
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