Marked Clinical Improvement in Parkinson's Disease Following Double-Filtration Apheresis: A Case Report

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the fastest growing progressive neurological disorder globally, characterized by motor symptoms such as bradykinesia, rigidity, resting tremor as well as a wide range of non-motor manifestations. Here, we report the case of a patient with advanced Parkinson's disease diagnosed for PD more than 12 years ago; clinical symptoms included a coarse resting tremor with a focus on the right arm and leg, gait and postural disturbances, sleep disorders and autonomic disfunctions. The patient received several medications for correction of dopamine deficiency, but clinical symptoms progressed over the years. We applied a series of double-filtration apheresis treatments and experienced marked symptomatic improvement, with near-complete resolution of motor deficits and strong decrease of MDS-UPDRS part III score. This case suggests a potential role of extracorporeal blood purification in the management of PD.