I had surgery for a brain tumour in February 2022; I then underwent radiotherapy from 9 May to 22 June, followed by chemotherapy from 22 July 2022 until May 2023. I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease on 2 October 2022… and have been on medication for Parkinson’s disease ever since. Now, scans have revealed suspected PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy), MSA (Multiple System Atrophy) or HD? A scintigraphy is due to be carried out, however… but my question is: could this be damage caused by the brain tumour I had surgically removed (90% removed), measuring 7x3x3 cm? Plus 35 radiotherapy sessions and approximately 10.5 months of chemotherapy? As it feels as though I’m regaining more and more strength, I suspect it’s down to the medication. I also had an epileptic seizure shortly after my operation in March 2022… and was then prescribed anti-epileptic medication that can cause Parkinson’s. I haven’t had any further seizures, as that one was triggered by intracranial pressure resulting from an 11-hour operation. So I’m now only taking 500mg of levetiracetam twice a day as a preventative measure… does that medication interfere with dopamine uptake?

It is difficult to say whether your symptoms are related to your tumour and/or treatment with so little information, but generally speaking, damage to the brain could explain certain symptoms. Levetiracetam cannot cause Parkinson’s disease, but it can cause certain movement disorders as side effects, such as tremors. It does not interfere with the dopamine system. It is not clear what type of scan was performed, but such images could be affected by the fact that you have undergone brain surgery. At the same time, it may of course be the case that you also have a Parkinson’s-like condition; only further investigation and time will tell. /Dag Nyholm