Summary: People with Parkinson's disease typically have tremor, stiffness and slowed movements, which are physical effects known as "motor symptoms." However, neurologists are now focusing on some under-diagnosed "non-motor" symptoms, which include constipation, urinary incontinence and sleep disturbances. In early 2010, the American Academy of Neurology issued new treatment guidelines about these non-motor symptoms. Dr. William Weiner, chief of neurology and head of the Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center, was one of the authors of the new guidelines. In this interview with Sharon Boston, Dr. Weiner describes the non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's and says there are ways to treat them, so people should talk with their doctors if they have these symptoms. Dr. Weiner is also chairman and professor of neurology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
