Brain Networks Involved in Sensory Perception in Parkinson's Disease: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Sensory Perception
• Movement Disorders

Background:

• Parkinson's Disease (PD) is traditionally viewed as a motor disorder.
• Emerging evidence indicates widespread sensory abnormalities in PD patients.
• These sensory deficits span proprioception, touch, vision, hearing, and time perception.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of sensory abnormalities in Parkinson's Disease.
• To synthesize findings on sensory processing in PD across various modalities.
• To explore the implications of sensory changes for understanding PD and developing therapies.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scoping review methodology was employed.
• Analysis included 101 studies (88 human, 13 animal) published between 1982 and 2022.
• Data synthesis focused on sensory perception across multiple modalities in PD.

Main Results:

• The basal ganglia play a crucial role in sensory perception across all modalities.
• Sensory abnormalities in PD are associated with increased basal ganglia noise and larger neuronal receptive fields.
• Impaired sensorimotor integration, stemming from sensory changes, may contribute to motor deficits in PD.

Conclusions:

• Sensory abnormalities are a significant feature of Parkinson's Disease, extending beyond motor symptoms.
• Basal ganglia dysfunction underlies these sensory deficits and impacts sensorimotor integration.
• Further understanding of PD sensory changes can inform novel therapeutic strategies, including drug and neuromodulation therapies.