Thank you for this article. I have a very unusual Parkinsons case. My Doc is the Chief of Neuro at a major Boston Medical Center and Medical school. He made the diagnosis about 3 years ago. I have had all the symptoms of PD at various times. From a walker, then to a cane, now neither. I had a period where I could not turn  over in bed. I've had episodes where I could not control my body and I would bend over from the waist while walking (all out of my control) and then  fall due to my center of gravity being so far outside the base. My voice has changed and then returned. This happens over and over at times with no pattern.I have developed a gait disorder that also comes and goes so that I walk like a drunken sailor on occaision. This also comes and goes.

The funny thing about all of this is I have an elevated urea in my blood and take alopurinol for a very occaisional gout flare up. I have polycystic kidney disease and the PD has progressed extremely slowly as I was an electrologist who worked with very fine instruments that are as fine as a hair with no trouble. No tremor in my hands or elesewhere. I looked up PD in a very famous text book and I have had all the PD symptoms at one time or another. They come and go. My father had the flu in 1918 and developed PD. He died at age 88 with all the symptoms. I am 82 with some very serious disorders but my PD does not change to something more severe. I drive, walk, eat with no choking and lead a very normal life. My doc and I are working on this idea of urea having an effect on PD. He had never heard of it until I brought it up.He told me that I've had this for many years but most of it was subclinical until I fell from bending at the waist.  I'm not complaining about anything but I would like to help others if possible. Thank you for the info.