Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 26, 2026
Handwriting Analysis Indicates Spontaneous Dyskinesias in Neuroleptic Naïve Adolescents at High Risk for Psychosis
Published on: November 21, 2013
Patient's perception: shorter and more severe prodromal phase in GBA-associated PD
M Zimmermann1,2, A Gaenslen1,2, K Prahl1
1Department of Neurodegeneration, Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
Background:
Prevalence and time of occurrence of prodromal symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) in relation to the onset of classical motor manifestation varies between patients. Possible modifying factors might be different genetic architectures predisposing to varying burden of manifestations.
Objectives:
To characterize the prodromal phase in PD patients with heterozygous mutations in the GBA gene compared to PD patients without GBA mutation.
Methods:
In a retrospective design, 151 participants [47 PD patients carrying a GBA mutation (PDGBA ), 52 idiopathic PD patients (PDidiopathic ), 52 healthy elderly (CON)] underwent a validated structured interview designed to assess prevalence and time of occurrence of prodromal symptoms.
Results:
PDGBA showed a higher prevalence of prodromal symptoms and almost simultaneous occurrence of non-motor and early motor symptoms shortly before PD diagnosis whereas PDidiopathic reported a longer prodromal phase starting with non-motor symptoms.
Conclusion:
The short and severe prodromal phase in PDGBA might call for shorter assessment intervals in yet premanifest GBA mutation carriers.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy
01:15Parkinson's Disease: Overview
01:24Parkinson's Disease: Treatment
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of its...
01:30Generalized Anxiety Disorder
01:24Parkinson Disease l: Introduction
01:24Parkinson Disease ll: Pathophysiology