White matter lesions in Parkinson disease

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neuroscience
• Pathology

Background:

• Idiopathic Parkinson disease (PD) is often accompanied by age-associated white matter lesions (WMLs), distinct from pure vascular parkinsonism.
• WMLs are known to cause motor and cognitive deficits in the elderly, suggesting a similar impact in PD patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the occurrence and impact of WMLs in Parkinson disease.
• To explore how WMLs may exacerbate motor and cognitive symptoms in PD.
• To discuss current and future methods for studying white matter pathology in vivo.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on WMLs in PD, considering varying assessment methods and patient cohorts.
• Analysis of evidence linking WMLs to specific motor functions (postural stability, gait) and cognitive deficits.
• Examination of in vivo imaging techniques for white matter pathology.

Main Results:

• Converging evidence indicates WMLs predominantly affect postural stability and gait in PD.
• While WMLs contribute to dementia in Alzheimer disease, their role in PD-related dementia is still inconclusive.
• WMLs are suggested to exacerbate or contribute to both motor and cognitive deficits in PD.

Conclusions:

• WMLs are a significant factor that may worsen clinical manifestations in Parkinson disease.
• Further research using advanced in vivo methods is needed to fully understand WMLs' impact on PD.
• Investigating WMLs offers potential for improved understanding and management of Parkinson disease symptoms.