The Glymphatic System and Sleep Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease
Daniele Urso1, Valentina Gnoni1, Eleonora Rollo2
1Department of Clinical Research in Neurology, Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and the Aging Brain, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', "Pia Fondazione Cardinale G. Panico", Via San Pio X, 4, Tricase, Lecce 73039, Italy.
Abstract:
Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by both motor and nonmotor symptoms, including significant sleep disturbances. The glymphatic system, a brain-wide clearance mechanism active during sleep, may play a key role in PD pathology by impairing the removal of toxic proteins like α-synuclein. Dysfunctional glymphatic clearance and disrupted sleep may create a cycle that accelerates neurodegeneration. This review explores the interplay between glymphatic dysfunction and sleep disturbances in PD, highlighting imaging biomarkers used to assess glymphatic activity.
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