Parkinson's MRI: Information & Get a Scan

Key Takeaways:

• Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disease that affects the brain, gradually damaging nerve cells and reducing dopamine production.

• Symptoms include tremors, muscle stiffness and difficulty with coordinated movement. 

• The symptoms usually start gradually and can vary in severity between individuals as the condition progresses.

• A diagnosis of Parkinson’s is usually achieved by having a number of tests, including a Parkinson’s MRI scan.

• An MRI scan is important for ruling out other conditions and getting a Parkinson’s diagnosis so that you can begin the right treatment to help you manage your symptoms.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive condition that affects the brain. There’s no single test that can confirm the presence of Parkinson's disease. Instead, you may have a range of tests, including a Parkinson’s MRI scan, to diagnose the condition. 

In this article, we’re going to discuss why an MRI scan is important in getting a diagnosis of Parkinson’s, what the disease is and what the treatment options are.

What is Parkinson's Disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a type of neurological condition that causes progressive damage to an area of the brain called the substantia nigra.

This part of the brain is responsible for producing dopamine, a neurotransmitter (or brain chemical) most known for being associated with feelings of pleasure and motivation. 

However, dopamine is also crucial for smooth, fluid muscle movement. In patients with Parkinson’s disease, nerve cells in the substantia nigra become progressively damaged.

Dopamine transporter proteins, which regulate dopamine levels in the brain, then become dysfunctional and can no longer regulate dopamine transport. This results in reduced dopamine levels, causing tremors, muscle stiffness and problems with coordinated movement - symptoms that are typical of Parkinson’s. 

Types of Parkinson’s

There are a number of different types of Parkinson's disease. The overwhelming majority of cases can be attributed to idiopathic Parkinson’s disease, with a much smaller number being attributed to genetic Parkinson’s disease. The rest, around 15% of cases, can be attributed to a range of conditions with very similar symptoms to Parkinson’s, collectively called atypical Parkinsonism:

• Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease - the most common type of Parkinson’s with typical symptoms but an unknown cause. 

• Genetic Parkinson’s Disease - a rarer form of the condition that’s passed down through families. 

• Atypical Parkinsonism - a term used to describe conditions that cause the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, that aren’t classified as idiopathic or genetic Parkinson’s disease. 

• Vascular Parkinsonism - a form of atypical Parkinsonism caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, usually due to brain damage caused by a stroke. 

• Drug-Induced Parkinsonism - a condition linked to taking certain medications such as those used to treat epilepsy, psychosis and depression, that reduce dopamine levels and cause Parkinson’s-like symptoms. 

• Parkinsonism-Dementia Complex - a condition with symptoms of both Parkinson’s and dementia, possibly linked to a buildup of proteins called Lewy bodies in the brain and is possibly passed through families.  

• Post-Traumatic Parkinsonism - a condition linked to experiencing a traumatic brain injury that causes symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease. 

Symptoms

The early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are usually mild and begin gradually. They vary depending on the type of condition and usually also vary in range and severity between individuals. 

The main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are:

• Tremors and shaking that usually start in the arms and hands, often when you’re at rest 

• Muscle stiffness and cramps make movement and facial expressions particularly difficult 

• Uncoordinated, slow movement and short, shuffled steps (called a Parkinsonian gait) 

These three main symptoms are often referred to as Parkinsonism. 

As the disease progresses, you may begin to develop a range of other physical and psychological symptoms. These tend to affect different people to different degrees. 

Physical symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include:

• A loss of sense of smell

• Changes to the voice, meaning that it may become lower in volume and muffled 

• A blank facial expression

• Problems with balance and falling

• A stooped posture

• Dizziness and potentially fainting when moving from sitting to standing

• Constipation

• A change in urinary habits (such as the need to pee more often or more urgently)

• Excessive sweating

• Drooling and excessive saliva production 

• Difficulty swallowing that may over time lead to dehydration and malnutrition

• Erectile dysfunction

Psychological symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include:

• Cognitive impairment that can make planning and organising more difficult

• Memory problems

• Depression

• Anxiety 

• Insomnia

• Sleep disturbed by vivid dreams 

Changes in your voice, constipation and a loss of sense of smell can also be very early signs of Parkinson’s disease that may begin before the mobility problems do. Developing changes in your voice, bowel habits and ability to smell don’t necessarily mean that you’re developing Parkinson's disease - it’s just worth being aware of the potential early warning signs. 

The 5 Stages of Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s is a progressive disease that can be characterised in five stages:

1. Very mild symptoms such as slight tremors usually affect one side of the body. Treatments aren’t yet required.

2. Symptoms become more noticeable, usually affecting both sides of the body, but day-to-day life is still manageable, especially with mild support therapy (see below, Prognosis and Treatment). 

3. Symptoms start to affect balance, meaning that trips and falls are more likely and walking aids will eventually be required. Supportive therapies and medications are necessary. 

4. Symptoms become more severe and patients require significant help with everyday tasks. 

5. Symptoms are severe and advanced and patients may become immobile and require a wheelchair. 

Can an MRI Scan Detect Parkinson’s?

Yes, a Parkinson’s MRI scan is part of the range of tests that are required to make a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and rule out other conditions such as dementia that may be causing your symptoms. 

What Does Parkinson’s Look Like on an MRI?

Research suggests that a Parkinson’s MRI scan may be able to detect changes in the brain that can indicate the presence of Parkinson’s disease very early in the condition, sometimes even earlier than the symptoms become noticeable 

Parkinson's MRI vs Normal MRI

A Parkinson’s MRI can potentially show subtle changes in the neurons in the brain that are starting to become damaged in the very early stages of the disease. This damage will eventually lead to the death of the brain cells that produce dopamine, leading to the onset of symptoms. 

In a patient with the onset of Parkinson’s who has started to notice symptoms, a Parkinson’s MRI scan shows changes in the structure of the brain. 

How an MRI Scan Detects Parkinson’s

An MRI scan uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to temporarily disrupt the hydrogen atoms in the body. When these atoms are disrupted, they create energy that’s picked up by the MRI scanner. 

Different structures, such as dense bones vs soft tissues and organs, create different levels of energy. An MRI scanning machine detects these differences and creates images of the inside of the body. 

During a Parkinson’s MRI scan, images of the brain are created and interpreted by a specialist radiologist trained to detect the signs of Parkinson’s disease. 

Diagnosing Parkinson’s Disease

There are numerous steps involved in getting a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease:

1. Review Medical History - Your GP will take a look at your medical history and will ask you questions regarding your overall health and wellbeing. 

2. Assess Symptoms - They’ll then ask you questions specific to your symptoms, including what symptoms you’re experiencing, how long you’ve been having them and what impact they may be having on your day-to-day life. It may be helpful to take a member of your family or a close friend with you, as it can feel overwhelming, causing you to forget to mention things that are worrying you. 

3. Perform Neurological Examination - You’ll be asked to perform some movement tasks and gentle physical exercises so that your doctor can monitor how well your brain is signalling to your body to move. 

4. Observe Response to Parkinson’s Medication - You may be given a mild dose of Parkinson’s medication used to help increase dopamine levels and decrease tremors and mobility problems. If after a set time, your symptoms improve, your medical team may give you a diagnosis of Parkinson’s at this point. 

5. Rule Out Other Conditions - The results of your examinations, response to medications and your symptoms will be used to rule out any other conditions such as dementia. 

6. Conduct MRI - At this point, you’ll be referred for a Parkinson’s MRI scan. You’ll be required to lie on a medical bed that’s slowly moved into a tube-like machine - you’ll hear loud knocking sounds as the MRI machine takes images, but you won’t feel anything. 

7. Conduct DaTscan (SPECT) - This scan uses a radioactive dye, injected into the bloodstream, to visualise the dopamine transporter system in the brain to monitor how well it’s working. 

8. Refer to Specialist (e.g. Neurologist) - If you’re given a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, you’ll be referred to a brain specialist called a neurologist, who will discuss treatments and lifestyle help with you. 

9. Monitor Progression Over Time - Once you’ve had a diagnosis of Parkinson’s, your condition will be regularly monitored to ensure you’re on the right course of treatment. 

Causes of Parkinson’s Disease

Nerve cells in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra become damaged over time in a patient with Parkinson’s disease. These nerve cells are responsible for producing dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays a messenger role, sending messages to control movement, to and from the brain and the nervous system. 

If the dopamine transporter system becomes damaged, as in Parkinson’s disease, messages to the muscles that control movement become disrupted, causing tremors, stiff, immobile muscles and difficulty with smooth, fluid movements.

It isn’t yet fully understood what causes the initial nerve cell damage, but studies suggest there are a few factors that can make developing Parkinson disease more likely. These include:

• Age - the condition most commonly begins to occur in patients aged between 50 and 60 years old

• Gender - Parkinson’s disease is more common in men than women

• Race - it tends to affect more white people than those with black or asian backgrounds

• Genetics - you’re more likely to have a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease if a close family member such as a parent or sibling has also had the condition

• Head injury - studies suggest that having had a serious head or brain injury in the past can make your more susceptible to developing Parkinson’s disease 

It’s also thought that exposure to certain toxins (from pesticides and traffic pollution), taking certain medications (such as some antipsychotics) and having some brain conditions (including progressive supranuclear palsy and cerebrovascular disease) could also increase your risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. 

Prognosis and Treatment

At present, there’s no cure for Parkinson’s, but treatments are available that can help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Treatments include therapies that support your health, well-being and general day-to-day living, and medications.

Support therapies include:

• Physiotherapy to help ease stiff muscles and make movement easier

• Speech therapy to help if you’re struggling with a low voice or muffled speech (this also helps if you’re struggling to swallow)

• Occupational therapy to assist everyday living such as dressing, eating, shopping and maintaining your independence for as long as possible

• Dietary advice to help if you’re struggling with constipation or dizziness caused by low blood pressure 

Medications vary, and your doctor will discuss the options with you, depending on your symptoms and how much they’re impacting your life. Most patients with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease can benefit from a medication called levodopa. Whether you might be offered this treatment will depend on your symptoms and stage of disease. 

Levodopa is turned into dopamine by the brain cells, and helps to reduce the main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease - tremors, stiff muscles and movement problems. The dose usually starts low, yet can have a dramatic effect on symptoms. 

However, as the condition progresses, the effects may become reduced as more brain cells become damaged and can no longer absorb the drug and turn it into dopamine. The dose can be increased, and your symptoms and overall health will be monitored by your medical team. 

Other medications for Parkinson’s disease include a range of drugs called dopamine agonists that work in a similar way to levodopa, and another group of drugs called monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibitors. These help to increase dopamine levels by blocking the action of an enzyme called monoamine oxidase-B that breaks down dopamine. 

In some cases, a surgical procedure on the brain, called deep brain stimulation, is used if best clinical practice guidelines suggest that it may be effective. 

Other symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, such as constipation, anxiety and depression can be managed with the relevant medications. 

Why an MRI Scan is a Good Option

Parkinson’s disease requires long term treatment and health monitoring and as the condition progresses, you may need to make changes to the way you live your life. There’s no cure, but supportive therapy and medications will help you manage your symptoms until your condition becomes too advanced. 

Getting an early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease is key to understanding the condition and how it may affect you, and starting the right treatment or combination of treatments as early as possible. There’s evidence to suggest that a Parkinson’s MRI scan may detect markers of the condition before the symptoms become noticeable. 

Finding Support for Parkinson's

Support networks and groups are an invaluable part of managing Parkinson’s for both you and your loved ones who may need to take more of a supportive role to support you as your disease slowly progresses. 

Your GP or specialist doctor can provide the details of local support groups and Parkinson’s UK has a wealth of information, support and advice. 

Find an MRI Scan for Parkinson’s

Developing the symptoms of Parkinson’s, or noticing them develop in a loved one, is understandably worrying. An early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease can help you get the support necessary to help you live a good quality of life, for as long as possible. 

We have a broad network of clinics that can help you get a diagnosis or rule out the condition. Book a private Parkinson’s MRI scan with your chosen clinic and start getting answers to what’s causing your symptoms. If you’re unsure if an MRI scan is right for you, or you’re looking for a second opinion, book an appointment with one of our specialised consultants. 

FAQs

How Long Does a Parkinson’s MRI Take?

A Parkinson’s MRI usually takes between 30 minutes and an hour. 

What Are the First Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease?

The first noticeable symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are usually tremors, muscle stiffness and mobility problems. However, you may experience other symptoms very early on in the condition that you may not associate with the condition. These include changes in your voice, constipation and loss of your sense of smell. 

Can You Have Parkinson’s Without Symptoms?

Yes, in the early stages, you may experience no symptoms, or very mild ones that you pass off as part of the normal ageing process such as mild mobility problems and constipation. As the disease progresses, however, your symptoms will become more noticeable. 

How Can I Slow the Progression of Parkinson’s?

There’s no cure for Parkinson’s, but you can take steps to help slow the progression of the disease. These include looking after your overall health with a healthy diet, accessing supportive therapies provided by your medical team and taking medications prescribed to help manage your symptoms. 

Is Parkinson’s Hereditary?

Hereditary means something, like a disease, that’s passed down from your parents through a faulty gene. It’s very rare for Parkinson’s disease to be hereditary or genetic. Around 85% of cases are idiopathic, meaning that there’s no known cause. However, if a close family relative has the condition, you may be more likely to also develop the condition. 

References

Website, N. (2024, April 17). Parkinson’s disease. nhs.uk. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/parkinsons-disease/

Holland, K. (2025, July 22). Everything you want to know about Parkinson’s disease. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/parkinsons

Yetman, D. (2025, July 19). Types of Parkinson’s. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/parkinsons/types-of-parkinsons

Sissons, B. (2023, December 20). A guide to MRI scans for Parkinson’s disease. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/parkinsons-mri

Srakocic, S. (2022, July 18). Can MRIs detect early onset Parkinson’s disease? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/parkinsons/parkinsons-mri