Are Multiple Sclerosis And Parkinson’s Related?

Multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease are disorders that damage the brain and spinal cord. Multiple sclerosis develops when your immune system destroys nerve cells. 

Parkinson’s disease is caused by the loss of dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra, a region of the brain.

Continue reading to learn about the similarities and differences between these two conditions and if there is a relationship between them.

Parkinson’s Disease vs. Multiple Sclerosis Causes

The specific causation of multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease is unknown, and scientists are currently attempting to determine whether they are connected.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

You develop multiple sclerosis when your immune system destroys myelin cells in your brain and spinal cord. These cells establish a protective covering around your nerves and speed up the transmission of electrical information.

Nerve inflammation occurs when your immune system assaults myelin. Repeated strikes might cause lasting nerve damage over time.

Although it is still unknown why some individuals acquire multiple sclerosis, various risk factors have been identified:

• Genetics: People who have a sibling or parent who has multiple sclerosis have a 2 to 3 percent probability of having MS themselves.
• Obesity in adolescents: Obesity in adolescence increases the likelihood of having multiple sclerosis later in life.
• Biological sex: Women are around two to three times as likely as males to acquire multiple sclerosis.
• Infection with the Epstein-Barr virus: Infection with the Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mononucleosis, is considered to activate immunological activation in certain individuals, leading to multiple sclerosis.
• Smoking: Smoking raises your chances of getting multiple sclerosis.
• Vitamin D deficiency: Multiple sclerosis is more common in countries with less sunshine.

Parkinson’s Disease (PD)

Parkinson’s disease is caused by the loss of dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra, a region of the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that regulates several bodily functions, including movement coordination.

Parkinson’s disease is considered to be caused by a mix of hereditary and environmental factors:

• Genetics: Genetics are considered to be responsible for 10 to 15% of Parkinson’s cases.
• Chemical toxicity: Certain chemicals, such as pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides, are suspected of contributing to Parkinson’s disease development.
• Age: Parkinson’s disease frequently develops as people become older.
• Occupation: Some jobs, such as welders and farmers, may put people at a higher risk of Parkinson’s disease, but further study is required.

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Is There a Connection Between Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis?

The likelihood of acquiring both multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease is less than one in 12.5 million. In the medical literature, at least 42 examples of patients with both illnesses have been recorded. 

However, it is still being determined if there is a correlation or whether some individuals have both illnesses by chance.

Some experts believe that multiple sclerosis might induce brain damage, increasing the chance of Parkinson’s disease. 

For example, researchers from a 2016 study that looked at all Danish people who had multiple sclerosis between 1980 and 2005 discovered evidence of a probable causal relationship, but further research is required to determine how strong the link is and what causes it.

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Parkinson’s Symptoms vs. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis may share several symptoms, such as:

1. Bladder control problems
2. Trouble with balance
3. Trembling hands or limbs
4. Anxiety or depression

Multiple sclerosis symptoms vary greatly across individuals but may include:

1. Vision issues
2. Sexual issues 
3. Dizziness
4. Bowel issues
5. Discomfort and itching 
6. Cognitive changes
7. Depression

Parkinson’s disease often causes:

• Tremors cause delayed movement
• Muscular stiffness

Other common symptoms include:

1. Constipation
2. Scent impairment
3. Minor handwriting and speech alterations
4. Hunched posture

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Differentiating Parkinson’s Disease from Multiple Sclerosis

Doctors analyze your medical history and do a range of tests to determine if you have Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis, including the following:

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• Neurological examination
• Physical examination
• Imaging blood tests

The Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis cannot be diagnosed by a single test. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society states that to establish a diagnosis, your doctor must:

• Discover evidence of injury in two independent sections of your central nervous system (brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord) AND
• Find evidence that the damage happened at different periods AND
• Rule out all other possibilities

Your doctor may order the following tests:

1. Blood testing
2. MRI scan
3. Spinal fluid analysis

Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosis

You must have two out of three of the following for your doctor to make a diagnosis:

1. Tremors or shaking
2. Muscular stiffness and slowness of movement
3. A strong reaction to the medicine Levodopa

A dopamine transporter scan (DaTscan) may detect a reduction of dopaminergic uptake in your brain’s basal ganglia. However, interpreting the data might be challenging and isn’t commonly used.

Parkinson’s Disease vs. Multiple Sclerosis Treatment

There is presently no cure for Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis. The goal of treatment is to delay development and reduce symptoms.

Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis

Many patients with mild types of multiple sclerosis do well without treatment. Among the treatment possibilities are the following:

• Corticosteroids: Although corticosteroids are used to treat inflammation, they do not delay disease development.
• The interchange of plasma: If your symptoms are severe and do not improve with steroids, your doctor may advise you to undergo a plasma exchange. This procedure involves removing plasma cells from your blood, combining them with a solution, and reinjecting them back into your body.
• Medications that alter illness progression: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized a variety of medications to prevent relapses or progression of multiple sclerosis. Learn more about the drugs used to treat multiple sclerosis.
• Other medicines: Other drugs, such as those for tiredness, muscular stiffness, or pain, may be administered.
• Physical therapy: To increase your strength, balance, and mobility, a physical therapist may help you stretch and strengthen your muscles.

Parkinson’s Treatment

Medications are often used to help manage Parkinson’s symptoms. The following drugs are often used to treat Parkinson’s disease:

1. Monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors
2. Deep brain stimulation (a surgical treatment occasionally used to treat severe Parkinson’s disease)

Supportive treatments, including physiotherapy and occupational therapy, may help you increase your mobility and independence for as long as possible. Speech and language therapy may assist you in identifying and treating speech difficulties.

Conclusion

Both Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis are neurological disorders that predominantly affect the brain and spinal cord. Although they may cause some of the same symptoms, they need distinct therapies and must be properly diagnosed.

Both problems are often diagnosed by seeing your family doctor, who may send you to a neurologist, a specialist who specializes in the brain and nerves.