Journal of Parkinson's disease最新文献

{"title":"Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation connectivity related to apathy outcomes in Parkinson's disease.","authors":"Eli Abdou, Kian Pazira, Sheffield Sharp, Jessica Summers, Kaltra Dhima, Mallory Hacker","doi":"10.1177/1877718X261450356","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1877718X261450356","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundSubthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD); however, apathy is a commonly reported side-effect that counteracts quality of life improvements offered by DBS. To date, the structural connectivity of postoperative apathy is largely unknown.ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify streamlines associated with worsening apathy following STN-DBS in PD.MethodsPatients with PD who received bilateral STN-DBS (n = 53) were pseudorandomized into \"training\" (n = 38) and \"holdout\" (n = 15) groups. In the training group, a normative structural connectivity analysis was conducted using pre- and postoperative apathy outcomes [Frontal Systems Behavior Scale (FrSBe) apathy subscale]. The resulting model was cross-validated and then tested in the holdout group.ResultsAn asymmetric profile emerged that was associated with worsening apathy. Right hemisphere streamlines were consistent with the dentatorubrothalamic pathway, connecting to the supplementary motor area. In the left hemisphere, the model included streamlines spanning the anteromedial STN to the anterior cingulate and orbitofrontal areas. The validity of the connectivity model was evaluated using cross-validation paradigms (leave-one-patient-out: R = 0.38, <i>p</i> = 0.023; 5-fold: R = 0.46, <i>p</i> = 0.004; 10-fold: R = 0.33, <i>p</i> = 0.048). The model was used to assess its association with apathy changes in the holdout group (R = 0.71, <i>p</i> = 0.005).ConclusionResults suggest that worsening of apathy following STN-DBS in PD involves the stimulation of circuits associated with a range of emotional and motivational processes, potentially disrupting auto-activation and emotional-affective processes in some patients.Plain Language TitleUnderstanding Apathy in Parkinson's Disease After Deep Brain Stimulation.</p>","PeriodicalId":16660,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parkinson's disease","volume":" ","pages":"1022-1032"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13435186/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147930614","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Basal ganglia neurophysiological markers of non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review.","authors":"Bart J Keulen, Martijn Beudel, Arjan Malekzadeh, Rob Ma de Bie, Bart Eks Swinnen","doi":"10.1177/1877718X261459224","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1877718X261459224","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundDeep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease (PD) primarily improves motor symptoms but leaves non-motor symptoms (NMS) largely unattended. Neurophysiological markers associated with specific symptoms could improve DBS programming. We systematically reviewed the evidence linking basal ganglia local field potentials (LFP) to NMS in PD.MethodsThe literature search (Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science) on August 20, 2024 yielded 1066 records. Studies were included if they focused on patients with idiopathic PD treated with DBS of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) or globus pallidus interna (GPi) and reported on the relationship between LFP data and NMS. The study risk of bias was evaluated using the Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST). A narrative synthesis of results was provided.ResultsTwenty-one studies were included, focusing on impulse control disorders (n = 8), sleep-wake disorders (n = 5), depressive symptoms (n = 4), cognitive dysfunction (n = 3), hypomania (n = 1) and lower urinary tract symptoms (n = 1). Seven studies had a high risk of bias. Theta and alpha power in the STN were frequently associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive function. Beta power in the STN and GPi was linked to sleep-wake disorders and urinary dysfunction.ConclusionsOverall, evidence on basal ganglia physiomarkers of NMS in PD remains limited. Further research is essential to develop patient-specific stimulation paradigms targeting NMS, which could significantly improve the quality of life of individuals with PD.OtherThis systematic review was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42024495284). There was no specific funding for this study.</p>","PeriodicalId":16660,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parkinson's disease","volume":" ","pages":"826-841"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13435217/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148301986","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Is continuous dopaminergic delivery still a major goal to be achieved in the treatment of Parkinson's disease?","authors":"Giulia Di Lazzaro, Angelo Tiziano Cimmino, Anna Rita Bentivoglio, Fabrizio Stocchi, Paolo Calabresi","doi":"10.1177/1877718X261431104","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1877718X261431104","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dopaminergic drugs represent the cornerstone in the symptomatic management of Parkinson's disease motor manifestations, although their long-term use is associated with the appearance of motor fluctuations and dyskinesias. The correlation between pulsatile plasmatic levels of dopaminergic drugs and motor complications suggested that a central continuous dopaminergic stimulation (CDS) could prevent their development. Therefore, several methods have been implemented to provide more stable plasmatic levels of dopaminergic drugs and obtain a continuous drug delivery (CDD). Nevertheless, CDD does not necessarily mean CDS, since other peripheral pharmacokinetic factors intervene before the striatal dopamine release, along with central pharmacodynamic mechanisms. Here, we provide an overview of the different pharmacological approaches taken over time to reach CDS, with limitations and questions that remain open.</p>","PeriodicalId":16660,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parkinson's disease","volume":" ","pages":"864-876"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13435185/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148421899","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Burst deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease: A systematic review of efficacy and safety.","authors":"Martijn Hendriks, Matej Lokar, Hisse Arnts, Rob Mc Mestrom, Dejan Georgiev, R Saman Vinke","doi":"10.1177/1877718X261474705","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1877718X261474705","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundBurst deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a promising alternative to conventional deep brain stimulation (cDBS), incorporating paradigms such as theta burst stimulation (TBS), burst cycling (BC), and coordinated reset (CR). Findings from transcranial magnetic stimulation, spinal cord stimulation and focused ultrasound neuromodulation inspire its potential application in Parkinson's disease (PD).ObjectiveThis review evaluates the evidence on the efficacy and safety of burst DBS in PD.MethodsA systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria encompassed peer-reviewed primary preclinical or clinical studies in English, reporting motor outcomes and burst stimulation parameters. Methodological quality was assessed using SYRCLE and a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Data extraction was performed systematically, and findings were synthesized narratively.Results19 studies met inclusion criteria: nine preclinical and ten clinical studies. Eight focused on BC (three including safety), four examined TBS (two including safety), and seven addressed CR (one including safety). Burst DBS showed mostly similar acute efficacy to cDBS, with distinct post-stimulation effects. No major adverse events were reported. However, stimulation settings varied widely, with no consensus on optimal parameters.ConclusionEfficacy and safety of burst DBS appear to be comparable to cDBS, with potential benefits such as post-stimulation effects. However, the risk of bias, variability in stimulation settings, inconsistent terminology, and other methodological considerations limit the interpretation of previous research. Further randomized studies are crucial to better refine the stimulation parameters and establish standardized clinical protocols that can be used to compare burst DBS with cDBS.</p>","PeriodicalId":16660,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parkinson's disease","volume":" ","pages":"1877718X261474705"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13443070/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148653738","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Construct optimization for AAV-mediated human α-syn overexpression, and validation across research settings: Development of a shared tool for the research community.","authors":"Joaquin Pardo, Janitha Mudannayake, Luis Daniel Bernal-Conde, Ivette M Sandoval, Ryan B Dong, Martino Avallone, David J Marmion, Addison Gralen, Lauren Waite, Andreas Heuer, Marcus Davidsson, Nicole K Polinski, Tomas Björklund, Fredric P Manfredsson","doi":"10.1177/1877718X261447105","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1877718X261447105","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The adeno-associated virus (AAV) alpha-synuclein (α-syn) overexpression model of Parkinson's disease (PD) shares many etiopathological features of the human disease, including the formation of aggregated α-syn, neuroinflammation, and nigral neurodegeneration. However, despite the high face validity of this model, it is notoriously variable, yielding inconsistent results with seemingly similar methodologies. In an effort to streamline the utility of this model for the broader research community, we partnered with The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF) to reduce variability and provide a validated tool to be distributed to the research community. Herein, the intent was to assess numerous vector batches in two distinct research groups, sharing tissue and cross-analyzing data to ensure rigor and reproducibility of this model. We assessed several variables, including AAV serotype, genome structure, and promoter construct. Our final selection consisted of a self-complementary AAV genome, carrying the hybrid chicken beta-actin promoter, packaged into AAV5. The resultant construct provides for dose-dependent nigrostriatal degeneration and associated indices such as neuroinflammation and behavioral impairments. Moreover, as reported by others, we observed significant toxicity using a reporter fluorophore as a control; instead, we generated and validated a null vector as the accompanying control. These vectors and plasmid genomes are available for distribution via MJFF.</p>","PeriodicalId":16660,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parkinson's disease","volume":" ","pages":"877-894"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13435177/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148015917","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Long-lasting concordance between imaging-guided and clinical-based STN-DBS programming enhances motor and axial outcomes in Parkinson's disease: A 3-year single-center study.","authors":"Leonardo Rigon, Francesco Bove, Alessandro Izzo, Nicola Montano, Alessandro De Biase, Quintino Giorgio D'Alessandris, Danilo Genovese, Alice Calarco, Paolo Calabresi, Carla Piano, Anna Rita Bentivoglio","doi":"10.1177/1877718X261428281","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1877718X261428281","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>IntroductionSubthalamic deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) improves Parkinson's disease motor symptoms. Directional leads can extend the therapeutic window, despite further increasing programming complexity. Lead placement visualization software can facilitate STN-DBS programming, especially in contact selection process. We investigated the extent and impact on motor outcomes of the concordance between imaging-suggested (IGP) and standard clinical-programming (CP) selected stimulation contacts three years after surgery.MethodsThirty-five PD patients with bilateral STN-DBS were enrolled. Lead localization was reconstructed using Brainlab™. For each electrode, the predicted optimal vertical contact and, when applicable, directionality was identified and compared with stimulation parameters clinically activated three years post-surgery. Concordance, agreement and similarity IGP/CP metrics were calculated for both contact level and directionality. Postoperative changes in motor symptom severity were compared between concordant and discordant IGP/CP groups.ResultsThree years after surgery, IGP/CP concordance was 77.6% for active stimulation contact level and 66.7% for directionality. IGP reliably identified contacts and directional segments avoided by CP for chronic stimulation (negative predictive value 0.85 and 0.72, respectively). No significant difference was found in motor outcomes based on IGP/CP contact level concordance. Nonetheless, superior benefit in overall motor function and axial impairment (including speech) were reported in patients with clinically-activated directional stimulation concordant with that suggested by visual reconstruction.ConclusionsVisualization software can simplify STN-DBS programming, especially by reducing the number of contacts warranting systematic clinical testing via monopolar review. Moreover, the combination of visualization and directional stimulation technologies can further improve outcomes, especially of those symptoms, like axial/speech impairment, often challenging subthalamic chronic stimulation.</p>","PeriodicalId":16660,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parkinson's disease","volume":" ","pages":"1002-1011"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13435167/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148396949","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Handgrip strength and relationship with non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease.","authors":"Daniele Urso, Roberta Barone, Davide Vilella, Valentina Gnoni, Alessia Giugno, Lucia Batzu, Salvatore Minnella, Karolina Popławska-Domaszewicz, Kallol Ray Chaudhuri, Giancarlo Logroscino","doi":"10.1177/1877718X251340585","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1877718X251340585","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundMuscle weakness, particularly reduced handgrip strength (HGS), is a prominent clinical feature in Parkinson's disease (PD). While the relationship between motor symptoms and muscle strength has been extensively studied, the connection between HGS and non-motor symptoms (NMS) remains less explored.ObjectiveThis study investigates the relationship between HGS and NMS in PD patients, hypothesizing that higher burden of NMS is associated with a reduced HGS.MethodsFifty consecutive PD patients were enrolled and underwent comprehensive neurological and neuropsychological evaluations, 3T MRI scans, routine laboratory tests, and ¹²³I-Ioflupane SPECT imaging. HGS was measured using a DynEx hand dynamometer, and NMS were assessed using the Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS). Cognitive function was evaluated with a battery of 18 psychometric tests, and quality of life was assessed using the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-8 (PDQ-8).ResultsReduced HGS was observed in the majority of PD patients and was significantly correlated with higher NMSS scores, particularly in mood and cognitive domains. Lower HGS was also linked to poorer quality of life. In linear regression models, NMSS remained a significant predictor of HGS even when controlling for age, sex, and Mini-Mental State Examination scores.Conclusions:Our findings suggest that HGS could serve as a valuable biomarker for non-motor symptoms, including depression and cognitive dysfunction, in PD patients. This study underscores the importance of integrating HGS measurements into clinical practice to identify muscle weakness and cognitive impairment, guiding more targeted interventions to improve patient outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":16660,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parkinson's disease","volume":" ","pages":"939-946"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13435165/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147982017","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Baseline predictors of response to a group-based speech and communication intervention in Parkinson's disease: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Hanna Steurer, Ellika Schalling, Erika Franzén, Joakim Körner Gustafsson, Franziska Albrecht","doi":"10.1177/1877718X261453191","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1877718X261453191","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundSpeech and voice symptoms are common in Parkinson's disease, yet predictors of response to behavioral speech interventions are unclear.ObjectivesTo identify predictors of responsiveness to a speech and communication group-intervention (HiCommunication) and contextualize findings against active controls.MethodsThis secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial included intervention completers. Responders were defined for voice intensity (increase ≥2 decibels) and voice quality (Acoustic Voice Quality Index decrease ≥0.54). Nineteen baseline clinical, motor, cognitive, perceptual, and acoustic variables were entered into Random Forest classifiers. Primary models excluded the baseline value of the target domain; baseline-including variants were sensitivity analyses. Performance was evaluated using Cohen's kappa, precision, recall, and specificity; key predictors were examined using partial dependence.ResultsIn HiCommunication (n = 35), the primary voice intensity model showed moderate agreement (kappa = 0.57; precision = 0.79; recall = 0.90; specificity = 0.64). Higher baseline perceptual ratings of reduced loudness and overall speech deviation, as well as higher Acoustic Voice Quality Index values, were associated with a higher predicted probability of improvement in voice intensity, whereas higher levodopa equivalent daily dose was associated with a lower response probability; postural instability/gait difficulty or tremor-dominant motor phenotypes showed higher response probability than the indeterminate phenotype. Voice quality models were below chance without baseline Acoustic Voice Quality Index but reached kappa 0.38 when included. Active control models showed low performance.ConclusionsClinically accessible baseline measures predicted improvement in voice intensity following HiCommunication with moderate accuracy. Perceptual ratings may support expectation-setting and individualized planning of group-based speech intervention in Parkinson's disease, but findings require replication.ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03213873, doi: 10.1177/1545968321999053Plain Language TitleWho benefits most from group-based speech and communication therapy in Parkinson's disease? This study explored whether simple clinical and speech measures collected before treatment can help predict which people with Parkinson's disease are most likely to improve their voice loudness after participating in an intensive group-based speech and communication program.</p>","PeriodicalId":16660,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parkinson's disease","volume":" ","pages":"965-979"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13435197/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148015974","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cerebral metabolic trajectories alterations in multiple system atrophy: A longitudinal FDG-PET study.","authors":"Yixin Zhao, Huamei Lin, Xinyi Li, Qi Shen, Jing Wang, Chuantao Zuo, Jian Wang, Jingjie Ge, Feng-Tao Liu","doi":"10.1177/1877718X261455593","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1877718X261455593","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder with different metabolic patterns in parkinsonian (MSA-P) and cerebellar (MSA-C) subtypes, but their longitudinal changes are not well understood. To characterize longitudinal changes of glucose metabolism and network connectivity in MSA using ¹⁸F-FDG-PET for early diagnosis and disease progression tracking, we retrospectively analyzed 29 MSA patients (17 MSA-P, 12 MSA-C) and 28 healthy controls. Regional glucose uptake was assessed as standardized uptake value ratios (SUVR). We examined inter-regional connectivity via correlation analysis and modeled metabolic decline using nonlinear mixed-effects models. Clinical progression was measured using the Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS). MSA-P displayed progressive hypometabolism in the putamen, cerebellum, and frontal cortex, while MSA-C showed declines primarily in the cerebellum and frontal regions. Longitudinal modeling indicated a faster putaminal decline in MSA-P (<i>β</i> = -0.015 ± 0.006) than in MSA-C (<i>β</i> = 0 ± 0.011), whereas cerebellar metabolism declined over time in both groups with overlapping slopes in MSA-P (<i>β</i> = -0.022 ± 0.006) and MSA-C (<i>β</i> = -0.022 ± 0.011). Regional metabolic reductions correlated with UMSARS progression (putamen in MSA-P: <i>r</i> = -0.59, <i>p</i> < 0.001; cerebellum in MSA-C: <i>r</i> = -0.62, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Significant connectivity disruptions were noted in frontal, basal ganglia, and cerebellar-parietal circuits. Longitudinal FDG-PET reveals distinct metabolic decline patterns in MSA subtypes-putamen in MSA-P and cerebellum in MSA-C-linked to clinical severity. These findings may inform clinical practice and trial design, supporting the use of FDG-PET for biological staging, monitoring disease progression, and potentially evaluating treatment responses.</p>","PeriodicalId":16660,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parkinson's disease","volume":" ","pages":"992-1001"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13435192/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148042719","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Celebrating the legacy of two decades of Parkinson's disease research in South Africa.","authors":"Khaleila Flisher, Amy Claire Buck, Jessica Burns, Lusanda Madula, Kathryn Step, Katherine Atkinson, Debbie Acker, Riaan van Coller, Jonathan A Carr, Soraya Bardien","doi":"10.1177/1877718X261457797","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1877718X261457797","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Plain language summary<b>Celebrating the legacy of two decades of Parkinson's disease research in South Africa</b>Parkinson's disease (PD) has been well-studied in Western Countries, but there are far fewer studies in other parts of the world, especially in Africa. This lack of research is partly because there are insufficient neurologists in many African countries, leading to missed or incorrect diagnoses. Stigma around PD and the absence of national disease registries also make research more difficult. To help fill this gap, our team has spent the past 20 years studying PD in South Africa. We have built a collection of almost 2,000 South African participants and report our main findings here. Overall, we found only 20 PD-causing variants in our collection of 689 unrelated PD cases. Interestingly, some of these genetic findings appear to be unique to South Africans, likely due to the unique genetic composition of the country's population. Our functional studies showed how variants in genes, such as <i>PRKN</i> and <i>LRRK2</i>, disrupt the function of mitochondria. Mitochondria are tiny structures in cells that supply the energy required for the cells to function. Cells die when they do not have the necessary energy, potentially explaining why brain cells die in PD. A third part of our research focuses on curcumin, a natural compound found in turmeric known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Using cell models, including cells from individuals with PD, we found that curcumin can protect cells from damage caused by paraquat, a harmful chemical which has been linked to the development of PD. However, this rescue is only seen when curcumin is given before the damage occurs. This suggests that curcumin may help prevent neuronal loss in PD. In summary, our work adds to global knowledge about the genetics, disease processes, and possible treatments for PD. It also shows what a small African laboratory can achieve, despite limited personnel and resources.</p>","PeriodicalId":16660,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Parkinson's disease","volume":" ","pages":"1041-1045"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13579119/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148301946","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}