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Olfactory Dysfunction in Familial and Sporadic Parkinson's Disease
Bruce A Chase1, Katerina Markopoulou2,3
1Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, United States.
Frontiers in Neurology
|June 18, 2020
Summary
Olfactory dysfunction is common in Parkinson's disease (PD). Understanding its mechanisms, especially in familial PD, may help identify early PD symptoms and track disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Genetics
Background:
- Olfactory dysfunction is a frequent early symptom in Parkinson's disease (PD), affecting both sporadic and familial forms.
- Understanding the mechanisms of olfactory loss in PD is crucial for early diagnosis and disease monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on olfactory dysfunction in Parkinson's disease.
- To highlight research gaps and propose future directions for understanding its pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on olfactory dysfunction in Parkinson's disease.
- Analysis of studies on monogenic PD, diverse populations, and imaging approaches.
- Discussion of longitudinal cohort studies and genetic epidemiology data.
Main Results:
- Olfactory dysfunction's prevalence and characteristics in PD are well-documented.
- Studies in monogenic PD and diverse populations offer insights into underlying mechanisms.
- Imaging and system-level approaches aid in understanding pathogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Longitudinal studies of familial Parkinson's disease cohorts are essential for understanding olfactory dysfunction.
- Assessing olfactory function can aid in identifying prodromal Parkinson's disease and understanding its progression as a multisystem disorder.
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