Onset of Parkinson's Disease Influences Cognitive and Emotional Deterioration Based on Its Side
In a groundbreaking study published in npj Parkinson's Disease, researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) have found that the initial side of onset of Parkinson's disease (PD) significantly impacts the evolution of non-motor symptoms, particularly cognitive and psychiatric manifestations.
Associate Professor Julie Péron and postdoctoral researcher Philippe Voruz led the study, which found that right-side onset of PD symptoms (indicating dysfunction in the brain's left hemisphere) is linked to a more pronounced cognitive decline and a higher risk of developing dementia. Conversely, left-side onset of PD symptoms (indicating right hemisphere involvement) is associated more with psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression.
The study represents a crucial breakthrough in the study of the disease's non-motor symptoms, which have long been underestimated by research. Parkinson's disease often begins asymmetrically, affecting either the right or left side of the body first. This discovery underscores the need for personalized clinical care tailored to an individual's disease profile.
Visuospatial deficits were consistently linked to left-sided symptoms, aligning with right-hemisphere dysfunction. Patients with left-sided symptoms (right-hemisphere pathology) more often experience psychiatric issues like depression, anxiety, and impaired emotional recognition.
The research team aims to address methodological questions, such as how to reliably measure the asymmetry of the disease based on observable symptoms. They suggest that the relevance of brain lateralization in non-motor symptom assessment should be considered in future studies.
The study analyzed 80 studies published over the past five decades on Parkinson's disease. Inconsistencies in study methods limit meta-analytic conclusions, but the findings highlight the critical importance of personalized care tailored to the individual's disease profile.
The study also suggests that motor asymmetry may affect treatment responses, such as deep brain stimulation outcomes. Incorporating motor symptom asymmetry into PD diagnosis and treatment could enhance personalized care, warranting more standardized future research. The study calls for the systematic integration of this symptomatic variable into the diagnostic process for personalized care for each patient.
With approximately 10 million people worldwide affected by Parkinson's disease, this research could have significant implications for the future of PD diagnosis and treatment. The findings emphasize the importance of considering the side of onset when assessing and treating patients with PD, paving the way for more personalized and effective care.
- The groundbreaking neuroscience news about Parkinson's disease (PD) reveals a significant connection between the initial side of onset and the development of non-motor symptoms, particularly cognitive and psychiatric disorders.
- Julie Pérond, Associate Professor at UNIGE, and Philippe Voruz, a postdoctoral researcher at HUG, led a study showing right-side onset of PD symptoms indicates cognitive decline, dementia risk, and higher chances of psychiatric disorders like anxiety and depression.
- In contrast, left-side onset suggests a higher incidence of psychiatric disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and impaired emotional recognition.
- Asymmetric onset of Parkinson's disease, affecting either the right or left side of the body, is now emphasized in the study as a critical aspect to consider in clinical care, as it represents a crucial breakthrough in understanding the disease's non-motor symptoms.
- To improve the reliability of measurements and future studies, the research team focuses on methodological questions, like how to assess the asymmetry of the disease based on visible symptoms.
- Considering the relevance of brain lateralization in non-motor symptom assessment is crucial for the investigation of Parkinson's disease and its associated medical-conditions, including cognitive decline, dementia risk, and psychiatric disorders like anxiety and depression.
- This health-and-wellness research could pave the way for more effective and personalized PD diagnosis and treatment, ultimately benefiting the approximately 10 million people affected worldwide, as it highlights the importance of considering the side of onset when diagnosing and treating PD patients.
