The neurologist called the change in handwriting one of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurological disease characterized by progressive loss of movement control and a number of other symptoms. One of the early signs of PD is micrography— a change in handwriting that manifests itself in a decrease in the size of letters and a deterioration in the clarity of writing. On August 16, Galina Chudinskaya, a neurologist at Medicine JSC (Academician Roitberg Clinic), told Izvestia about this.

However, in addition to micrography, there are a number of other symptoms that you should pay attention to. These include tremor: slight twitching of the hands or fingers that occur at rest, muscle rigidity: increased muscle tone that can cause discomfort and make movement difficult, slowness of movement (bradykinesia): general slowness in daily activities and difficulty getting started. In addition, it is worth noting changes in posture and walking: there may be a forward tilt, a reduced range of steps and an unstable gait.

"Changes in facial expressions and voice: the face may become less pronounced, and the voice may become quieter and more monotonous, anosmia: loss of sense of smell, changes in the psyche: depressive states, nightmares," the doctor added.

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In addition to Parkinson's disease, handwriting changes may be associated with aging. Thus, it is possible to distinguish between PD-induced micrography and ordinary senile changes by using the shape and size of letters: with micrography, letters become not only smaller, but also more uneven and compressed. In senile handwriting, the changes may be less pronounced and more diverse.

"Micrography also often shows reduced rigidity and straightness of lines, whereas older people may experience variations in writing style, but not such a clear loss of control. If other symptoms of PD, such as tremor or slowness of movement, are observed along with a change in handwriting, this may indicate a disease rather than the usual age—related changes," explained Chudinskaya.

According to the neurologist, a clinical examination is used to detect Parkinson's disease in the early stages: a thorough assessment of the neurological status is necessary, including checking motor functions and the presence of characteristic symptoms. At the same time, neurological tests — specific tests aimed at assessing coordination, balance, and movement - will help determine PD.

"Using imaging techniques such as MRI or PET can help to rule out other diseases and visualize changes characteristic of PD. Although there are no specific tests for PD, some studies may help rule out other pathologies," the specialist said.

Micrography can also be an important sign of the onset of Parkinson's disease, and its analysis, along with other symptoms, can greatly help in early diagnosis. The doctor recalled that an integrated approach to assessing the patient's condition, including both clinical and instrumental diagnostic methods, makes it possible to more effectively detect this serious disease at the initial stages.

On July 23, Ekaterina Demyanovskaya, a neurologist and expert at the Hemotest laboratory, told Izvestia that disturbing dreams with an active plot may be one of the early non-specific signs of Parkinson's disease. According to her, a behavior disorder in the REM sleep phase, when a person physically acts out dreams, can occur years before the appearance of a characteristic tremor.

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