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Dynamic Digital Biomarkers of Motor and Cognitive Function in Parkinson's Disease
Published on: July 24, 2019
Heterogeneous pattern of autonomic dysfunction in Parkinson's disease
Laurène Leclair-Visonneau1,2,3,4, Laurent Magy5, Christelle Volteau6
1Inserm, U1235, 44035, Nantes, France. laurene.leclair@chu-nantes.fr.
Journal of Neurology
|February 22, 2018
Summary
Parkinson's disease patients exhibit varied autonomic dysfunction, impacting functions like digestion and cardiovascular health. This study reveals a heterogeneous, erratic progression of these non-motor symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Autonomic Neuroscience
Background:
- Dysautonomia is a common non-motor symptom in Parkinson's disease (PD).
- Neuropathological hallmarks of PD are found in peripheral autonomic systems.
- Integral exploration of PD dysautonomia symptoms and physiology is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively evaluate autonomic function in idiopathic Parkinson's disease patients.
- To investigate the heterogeneous distribution and associations of dysautonomic symptoms.
- To correlate autonomic dysfunction with specific clinical and polysomnographic findings.
Main Methods:
- Prospective evaluation of 45 idiopathic PD patients.
- Assessment of autonomic components via questionnaires and functional tests (pupillomotor, tear, salivary, cardiovascular, digestive, urinary, sexual, sudomotor, skin sensitivity).
- Skin biopsy for intraepidermal nerve fibre density, polysomnography, and neuropsychological/neurological assessment.
Main Results:
- Dysautonomic signs and symptoms were heterogeneously distributed among PD patients.
- Skin denervation correlated with thermal sensory testing, constipation, and ocular dryness.
- Cognitive alterations were associated with cardiovascular symptoms/dysfunction and constipation.
Conclusions:
- Autonomic functions are affected in a heterogeneous pattern in Parkinson's disease.
- Autonomic dysfunction progression in PD appears erratic, not stepwise.
- Specific autonomic components show distinct associations with clinical and cognitive features in PD.
Keywords:
Cognitive alterationDysautonomiaElectrophysiologyIntraepidermal nerve fibre densityParkinson’s diseaseMore Related Videos
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