STM Journals Peer-reviewed research from Consortium e-Learning Network

Research and Reviews: A Journal of Neuroscience Review Article

Exploring the Complexities of Parkinson’s Disease

  1. Fahima Tanveer Department of Neurosciences, Amity University

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurological disorder, primarily affecting older adults, marked by both motor and non-motor symptoms. This review explores PD as a multisystem disorder that influences the central, enteric, and autonomic nervous systems, along with the immune system and gastrointestinal tract. Key pathogenic features include the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra and the formation of Lewy bodies containing misfolded α-synuclein proteins. The bradykinesia, tremors, stiffness, and abnormalities in gait are motor symptoms caused by the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway degeneration. Non-motor symptoms, including cognitive decline, neurobehavioral issues, sleep disturbances, and autonomic dysfunction, often precede motor symptoms, significantly affecting quality of life. The pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease (PD) includes genetic mutations, abnormal protein buildup, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. Diagnosis is primarily clinical, supported by neuroimaging and biochemical markers. Treatment focuses on symptom management through pharmacological therapies like levodopa, dopamine agonists, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, along with non-pharmacological interventions such as exercise and speech therapy. Surgical techniques like Deep brain stimulation and newly developed gene therapies may be beneficial in advanced situations. This review highlights the necessity for ongoing research to better understand PD’s underlying mechanisms and to develop more effective treatments to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

Keywords

References (15)

  1. Beitz JM. Parkinson s disease a review. Frontiers in Bioscience. 2014;S6(1):65-74. doi:10.2741/s415
  2. Cerri S, Mus L, Blandini F. Parkinson’s Disease in Women and Men: What’s the Difference? Journal of Parkinson’s Disease. 2019;9(3):501-515. doi:10.3233/jpd-191683
  3. Bari BA, Chokshi V, Schmidt K. Locus coeruleus-norepinephrine: basic functions and insights into Parkinson’s disease. Neural Regeneration Research. 2019;15(6):1006-1013. doi:10.4103/1673-5374.270297
  4. Kalia LV, Lang AE. Parkinson's disease. The Lancet. 2015;386(9996):896-912. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(14)61393-3
  5. Costa HN, Esteves AR, Empadinhas N, Cardoso SM. Parkinson's Disease: A Multisystem Disorder. Neuroscience Bulletin. 2022;39(1):113-124. doi:10.1007/s12264-022-00934-6
  6. Blauwendraat C, Nalls MA, Singleton AB. The genetic architecture of Parkinson's disease. The Lancet Neurology. 2020;19(2):170-178. doi:10.1016/s1474-4422(19)30287-x
  7. De Miranda BR, Goldman SM, Miller GW, Greenamyre JT, Dorsey ER. Preventing Parkinson’s Disease: An Environmental Agenda. Journal of Parkinson's Disease. 2022;12(1):45-68. doi:10.3233/jpd-212922
  8. Boulos C, Yaghi N, El Hayeck R, Heraoui GN, Fakhoury-Sayegh N. Nutritional Risk Factors, Microbiota and Parkinson’s Disease: What Is the Current Evidence? Nutrients. 2019;11(8):1896. doi:10.3390/nu11081896
  9. de Lau LM, Breteler MM. Epidemiology of Parkinson's disease. The Lancet Neurology. 2006;5(6):525-535. doi:10.1016/s1474-4422(06)70471-9
  10. Bloem BR, Okun MS, Klein C. Parkinson's disease. The Lancet. 2021;397(10291):2284-2303. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(21)00218-x
  11. Lees AJ, Hardy J, Revesz T. Parkinson's disease. The Lancet. 2009;373(9680):2055-2066. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(09)60492-x
  12. Tolosa E, Garrido A, Scholz SW, Poewe W. Challenges in the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. The Lancet Neurology. 2021;20(5):385-397. doi:10.1016/s1474-4422(21)00030-2
  13. Jankovic J. Parkinson's disease: clinical features and diagnosis. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. 2008;79(4):368-376. doi:10.1136/jnnp.2007.131045
  14. Pfeiffer RF. Non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease. Parkinsonism & Related Disorders. 2016;22:S119-S122. doi:10.1016/j.parkreldis.2015.09.004
  15. Poewe W. Non‐motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease. European Journal of Neurology. 2008;15(s1):14-20. doi:10.1111/j.1468-1331.2008.02056.x
Support