Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects the dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. It is characterized by symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, slow movements, and impaired balance.

However, there are several other conditions that share similar symptoms with Parkinson’s disease. Here are the top symptoms that mimic Parkinson’s:.

1. Essential Tremor

Essential tremor is a neurological disorder that causes involuntary shaking or trembling, especially in the hands, head, and voice. It is often mistaken for Parkinson’s disease due to the similarity in tremors.

However, essential tremor is usually less severe and does not cause other motor symptoms like rigidity and bradykinesia.

2. Multiple System Atrophy

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare degenerative disorder that affects various parts of the brain, including the cerebellum, basal ganglia, and brainstem.

It causes symptoms such as tremors, muscle rigidity, and slow movements, which are similar to Parkinson’s disease. However, MSA also affects the autonomic nervous system, which controls functions like blood pressure, heart rate, and digestion.

3. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a rare brain disorder that affects movement, balance, speech, and vision. It is often misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s disease due to the similarity in symptoms like slowness of movement, rigidity, and falls.

However, PSP also affects the eye movements, causing problems with vision and balance.

4. Corticobasal Degeneration

Corticobasal degeneration (CBD) is a rare neurological disorder that affects the cortex and the basal ganglia in the brain. It causes symptoms like rigidity, stiffness, and tremors, which are similar to those of Parkinson’s disease.

However, CBD also affects cognitive and language functions, causing problems with speech and memory.

5. Dystonia

Dystonia is a neurological disorder that causes involuntary muscle contractions, leading to abnormal movements and postures. It can affect any part of the body, including the neck, face, and limbs.

Dystonia is often mistaken for Parkinson’s disease due to the similarity in tremors and stiffness. However, dystonia usually has a focal onset, affecting only one part of the body.

6. Wilson’s Disease

Wilson’s disease is a rare genetic disorder that affects copper metabolism, leading to the accumulation of copper in the liver, brain, and other organs.

It causes symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and jerky movements, which are similar to Parkinson’s disease. However, Wilson’s disease also affects the liver, causing problems with digestion and metabolism.

7. Huntington’s Disease

Huntington’s disease is a genetic disorder that affects the nerve cells in the brain, leading to degeneration of the basal ganglia.

It causes symptoms such as involuntary movements, rigidity, and slowness of movement, which are similar to Parkinson’s disease. However, Huntington’s disease also affects cognitive and psychiatric functions, causing problems with memory, mood, and behavior.

8. Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a brain disorder that causes the enlargement of the ventricles, leading to a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid.

It causes symptoms such as gait disturbances, urinary incontinence, and dementia, which are similar to Parkinson’s disease. However, NPH also affects the cognitive and urinary functions, causing problems with memory and bladder control.

9. Medication-Induced Parkinsonism

Medication-induced Parkinsonism is a condition that occurs as a side effect of certain medications, such as antipsychotics and antiemetics. It causes symptoms like tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia, which are similar to Parkinson’s disease.

However, medication-induced Parkinsonism usually resolves once the medication is stopped.

10. Psychogenic Parkinsonism

Psychogenic Parkinsonism is a condition that occurs due to psychological factors, such as stress or trauma. It causes symptoms like tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia, which are similar to Parkinson’s disease.

However, psychogenic Parkinsonism usually resolves once the underlying psychological issues are addressed.