prodromal

American  

[proh-droh-muhl] / proʊˈdroʊ məl /

adjective

1. Pathology. (of a symptom or series of symptoms) preceding the more obvious, diagnosable symptoms of an illness or disease.

   Using these prodromal symptoms, trained psychologists or physicians can identify people at a higher risk of developing psychosis and begin early treatment.

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Etymology

Origin of prodromal

First recorded in 1710–20; prodrom(e) ( def. ) + -al ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

prodromal

The study Longitudinal assessment of DNA repair signature trajectory in prodromal versus established Parkinson's disease has been published in npj Parkinson's Disease.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 29, 2026

Yet today, prodromal Parkinson's patients still can't get diagnosed until developing the characteristic motor deficits of clinical Parkinson's disease.

From Salon ● Aug. 13, 2023

These advances contribute to a growing appreciation of the so-called prodromal phase of Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative disorders—when preliminary signs appear, but a definitive diagnosis has not yet been made.

From Scientific American ● Jan. 24, 2023

By January of 2019, when my prodromal symptoms gave way to a full-blown psychotic break, they’d all gotten the message from real-life health care professionals that confronting delusions is unproductive and erodes trust.

From Slate ● May 24, 2022

I believe that convulsions in the prodromal stage are much more common than available statistics would have us believe; at least, this is my own experience.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various

Related Words

• introductory
• previous
• prior