Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026
10:28
Dynamic Digital Biomarkers of Motor and Cognitive Function in Parkinson's Disease
Published on: July 24, 2019
Alterations in brain physiological pulsations in Parkinson's disease: a case-control study
Rodolphe Nenert1, Corina Catiul1, Pierre LeVan2,3
1Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA.
Neuroimage. Reports
|August 9, 2026
Summary
Parkinson's disease (PD) is linked to reduced brain pulsations crucial for clearing toxins. These findings suggest glymphatic clearance could be a therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
- Neurology
Background:
- Brain physiological pulsations are essential for clearing neurotoxins via the glymphatic system.
- Altered glymphatic function is observed in neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson's disease (PD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare brain physiological pulsations, vital for glymphatic clearance, between individuals with PD and healthy controls (HC).
Main Methods:
- Magnetic Resonance Encephalography (MREG) was used to assess spectral power and optical flow in cardiovascular, respiratory, and vasomotor frequency bands.
- Participants included 13 PD patients and 20 HC, with analyses controlling for age and sex.
Main Results:
- PD participants showed significantly reduced power in the cardiovascular frequency band.
- Reduced optical flow magnitude in the low-frequency vasomotor band was observed in PD patients, particularly in brain regions associated with visual, cognitive, and sensorimotor functions.
Conclusions:
- Parkinson's disease is associated with altered physiological pulsations that impact glymphatic flow.
- Targeting glymphatic clearance presents a potential therapeutic avenue for neurodegenerative diseases.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:11Alterations in Muscle Tone lll
Rigidity and myotonia are distinct abnormalities of muscle tone that affect resistance and relaxation during movement. Although both involve altered muscle contraction, they arise from different neurological and muscular mechanisms.CharacteristicsRigidity is characterized by uniform resistance to passive movement across the entire range, independent of speed, affecting flexors and extensors equally. It may appear as lead-pipe rigidity (smooth, constant resistance) or cogwheel rigidity...
01:24Parkinson Disease l: Introduction
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects movement. It is characterized by motor symptoms such as resting tremors, muscle rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), and postural instability. Patients may notice hand tremors at rest, stiffness during movement, or a shuffling gait. In addition to motor features, non-motor symptoms include sleep disturbances, mood and behavioral changes, constipation, and cognitive impairment, all of which...
01:24Parkinson Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Parkinson disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder primarily affecting movement, with additional non-motor features. Its pathophysiology involves complex interactions among genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, and cellular dysfunction, including dopaminergic neuron loss, protein aggregation, and mitochondrial impairment.Selective NeurodegenerationA key feature is the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, leading to reduced...
01:24Parkinson's Disease: Treatment
Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease (PD), involve the gradual and irreversible destruction of neurons in particular brain areas. These disorders exhibit standard features like proteinopathies, selective vulnerability of some neurons, and an interaction of intrinsic properties, genetics, and environmental influences in neural injury.
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of its...
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of its...
01:15Parkinson's Disease: Overview
Neurodegenerative disorders are progressive diseases that cause irreversible damage and loss to neurons in specific brain areas. Examples of these disorders include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). These disorders share characteristics such as proteinopathies, selective neuronal vulnerability, and a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. The primary therapeutic goal for these conditions is to...
01:37Neural Regulation
Digestion begins with a cephalic phase that prepares the digestive system to receive food. When our brain processes visual or olfactory information about food, it triggers impulses in the cranial nerves innervating the salivary glands and stomach to prepare for food.