Nonmotor Parkinson's and Future Directions

Publication date: Available online 4 July 2017 Source:International Review of Neurobiology Author(s): Nataliya Titova, K Ray Chaudhuri Nonmotor symptoms (NMS) of Parkinson's disease (PD) are integral to the condition largely regarded as a motor syndrome. A range of NMS underpin the prodromal stage of Parkinson's and are present with variable frequency, range, and nature across the whole journey of a patient with Parkinson's from the onset of the motor disease to palliative stage. These symptoms also are key determinants of quality of life of the patient as well as the carer. Despite this, recognition management and focused treatment of NMS of PD remain poor. Future would, therefore, need to focus on better definition and management of NMS of PD. This would include development of robust animal models of specific NMS such as cognitive, sleep, and autonomic dysfunctions as well as pain to understand the mechanistic pathways of these symptoms. In turn this will lead to better drug development using a bench to bedside model. Nonmotor clinical subtypes of PD have also been described and, in future, proper biomarkers will consolidate these findings in addition to defining the natural history of the subtypes. Revised versions of established scales and questionnaires will enable the adoption of good clinical practice with recognition of these subtypes in clinic. This will enhance the delivery of true subtype-specific therapies. Drug development should also include nondopaminergic ...
Source: International Review of Neurobiology - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research