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Dynamic Digital Biomarkers of Motor and Cognitive Function in Parkinson's Disease
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Cardiovascular aspects of Parkinson disease

D S Goldstein1

  • 1Clinical Neurocardiology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1620, USA. goldsteind@ninds.nih.gov

Journal of Neural Transmission. Supplementum
|October 5, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Parkinson disease (PD) often presents with early orthostatic hypotension (OH), characterized by neurocirculatory issues and noradrenergic deficits. These cardiovascular changes, including cardiac sympathetic denervation, occur progressively in PD patients, with or without OH.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Neurology
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases

Background:

  • Parkinson disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with significant non-motor symptoms.
  • Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction, particularly orthostatic hypotension (OH), is a recognized complication in PD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an updated overview of the cardiovascular manifestations in Parkinson disease.
  • To highlight the role of orthostatic hypotension (OH) as an early indicator in PD.
  • To discuss neurocirculatory abnormalities and noradrenergic denervation in PD with and without OH.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on cardiovascular aspects of Parkinson disease.
  • Analysis of studies focusing on orthostatic hypotension (OH) in PD.
  • Examination of evidence regarding neurocirculatory function and sympathetic innervation.

Main Results:

  • Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is frequently an early sign in Parkinson disease (PD).
  • Neurocirculatory abnormalities in PD with OH are often independent of levodopa therapy.
  • Both cardiac and extracardiac noradrenergic denervation are observed in PD patients with OH.
  • Progressive decline in cardiac sympathetic innervation occurs in PD, even in the absence of OH.

Conclusions:

  • Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction is a critical component of Parkinson disease progression.
  • Understanding these autonomic changes is crucial for managing PD patients.
  • Noradrenergic deficits contribute significantly to the cardiovascular complications seen in PD.

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