There has been no diagnostic criteria developed to date to help identify Parkinson's disease. An expert will typically identify the disease once a person starts to develop the symptoms. There are various ways to measure the dopamine levels in ones cerebrospinal fluid utilizing biochemical measures. Another tool utilized to test for the disease is using a computer program aimed at measuring a patient's movement time. There is also a survey consisting of nine questions related to various symptoms, as well as specific disease questions. This screening provides a measuring tool of the dopamine system. As a person ages the odds of developing Parkinson's disease increases by comparison to others. That being said though, it is difficult to identify the actual numbers of those with Parkinson numbers as they tend to vary within internal communities. Currently there are a limited amount of studies completed on Parkinson's and the samples are often restricted. .
The risk factors are typically tied to environmental factors but there are other genetic factors that play a part as well. Both current and past research has indicated that there are both environmental and genetic factors tied to the onset of Parkinson's. Additionally, there have been several studies completed that indicate that head trauma severe enough to show signs of a concussion will often occur prior to the onset of the disease itself. It has been speculated that those suffering with head trauma will typically have aggravated Parkinson symptoms, although there are no concrete studies to prove this speculation. Parkinson's patients have been shown to have an increased amount of iron and copper in the sustantia nigra, as well as calcium behaving as a toxin. Another risk factor indicates that those people living in a rural area are more susceptible to Parkinson's. This would be because of the use of herbicides, pesticides and the consumption of well water.