Parkinson Disease Epidemiology, Pathology, Genetics, and Pathophysiology

Abstract

Parkinson disease is a complex, age-related, neurodegenerative disease associated with dopamine deficiency and both motor and nonmotor deficits. Many environmental and genetic factors influence Parkinson disease risk, with different factors predominating in different patients. These factors converge on specific pathways, including mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, protein aggregation, impaired autophagy, and neuroinflammation. Ultimately, treatment of Parkinson disease may focus on targeted therapies for pathophysiologically defined subtypes of Parkinson disease patients.

Keywords: Epidemiology; Genetics; Mitochondrial; Neuroprotection; Parkinson disease; Pathology; Pathophysiology; Synuclein.

FIGURE 1:

Estimated number of people with PD in the U.S. (blue line) & the projected reduction in PD if physical activity in adults increases by 20% (red line) or 80% (green line). Estimates based on Marras et al, 2018(6).

FIGURE 2:

Environmental and genetic factors influence PD pathogenesis by impacting similar pathways, including mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, alpha-synuclein aggregation, and clearance pathways for abnormal proteins.