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Published on: April 28, 2020
Breathing pattern and its variability in the early Parkinson's disease
Z Turianikova1, J Cernanova Krohova1, B Czippelova1
1Biomedical Centre Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Martin, Slovakia.
Summary
Early Parkinson's disease (PD) patients show altered breathing patterns, including a faster respiratory rate and increased variability. These subtle changes in breathing may indicate early neurodegeneration affecting ventilation control.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Neurodegenerative Diseases
Background:
- Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder.
- Respiratory disturbances, including breathing pattern alterations, can occur early in PD.
- Limited evidence exists on breathing pattern changes and variability in early-stage PD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize spontaneous breathing patterns in early-stage Parkinson's disease.
- To investigate breathing pattern variability in patients with early-stage PD.
Main Methods:
- 17 early-stage PD patients and 17 age/sex-matched controls were studied.
- Breath-to-breath respiratory measures (tidal volume, inspiratory/expiratory times) were recorded using respiratory inductive plethysmography.
- Parameters like respiratory rate, minute ventilation, and duty cycle were calculated.
Main Results:
- PD patients exhibited an increased respiratory rate (fR) with preserved inspiratory/expiratory phase ratios.
- Minute ventilation (MV) was elevated in PD patients due to increased fR and stable tidal volume (Vt).
- Breathing pattern variability was higher in PD patients, indicated by increased respiratory rate variability.
Conclusions:
- Early-stage PD patients show subtle alterations in spontaneous breathing patterns and increased variability.
- These breathing changes may be detectable before clinical respiratory dysfunction.
- Findings suggest neurodegeneration impacts respiratory control even in early PD.
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