☆ Are Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson’s syndrome the same thing? Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson’s syndrome, which appear to be only the difference between the disease and the syndrome, are actually quite different. Parkinson’s disease is the result of a decrease in dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra of the midbrain, leading to a deficiency of dopamine in the substantia nigra and striatum, while Parkinson’s syndrome is the result of an abnormal function of the extravertebral system of the motor regulation system due to brain infection, trauma, hemorrhage, infarction, etc. Therefore, the syndrome is a group of syndromes (clinical manifestations) rather than a separate disease. ☆ What are the differences between the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson’s syndrome? In terms of symptoms, Parkinson’s disease is mostly manifested as resting tremor, i.e., the hands or feet shake significantly when placed at rest; Parkinson’s syndrome is mostly manifested as postural or intentional tremor, i.e., the hands shake significantly when completing movements. ☆ How to distinguish the two diseases during examination and diagnosis? Parkinson’s syndrome can detect abnormal changes in the primary disease during imaging examinations (CT, MRI), while imaging examinations for Parkinson’s disease are mostly negative. ☆ Can both be treated with dopamine-based medications? Parkinson’s disease can be treated with dopamine-based medications, while for Parkinson’s syndrome dopamine-based medications are not effective. However, in patients with Parkinson’s superposition syndrome (simply understood: both Parkinson’s disease and other diseases), some patients improve on dopamine therapy, especially in the early stages of the disease. ☆ Does Parkinson’s syndrome disappear with tremor and other symptoms when the primary disease is cured? No. The primary disease of Parkinson’s syndrome cannot be cured, and there are no effective drugs to control tremors. If symptoms are mild, they can be observed. For severe symptoms, stereotactic surgery, including nucleus accumbens destruction surgery and deep brain electrical stimulation (pacemaker surgery, DBS), can be used.