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Is increased spinal nociception another hallmark for Parkinson's disease?
Evangelia Boura1, Maria Stamelou1,2, David Vadasz1
1Department of Neurology, Philipps University, Baldingerstrasse, 35043, Marburg, Germany.
Journal of Neurology
|January 26, 2017
Summary
Increased spinal nociception, a pain sensitivity measure, is present in early Parkinson's disease (PD) but not in idiopathic REM-sleep behavior disorder (IRBD) patients. This suggests spinal nociception is an early non-motor feature of PD, not a premotor sign.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pain Research
- Movement Disorders
Background:
- Augmented spinal nociception is observed in Parkinson's disease (PD), increasing with disease duration.
- The role of spinal nociception as a premotor feature in PD requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if increased spinal nociception is a premotor feature of PD.
- To compare pain sensitivity in idiopathic REM-sleep behavior disorder (IRBD) patients, early PD patients, and healthy controls (HC).
Main Methods:
- Assessed experimental pain sensitivity using heat and electrical pain thresholds.
- Measured spinal nociception via the nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR).
- Included 14 IRBD patients, 15 early PD patients (medication 'off' state), and 27 HC in an explorative cohort study.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in NFR or pain sensitivity between IRBD patients and HC.
- Early PD patients showed increased NFR responses compared to HC.
- IRBD patients with anosmia and/or abnormal DaTSCAN showed a tendency towards increased pain sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- Increased spinal nociception appears to be an early, non-motor feature of PD, rather than a premotor sign.
- Further studies are needed to ascertain if increased pain sensitivity is a premotor feature.
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