Association of Hemispheric Asymmetry of Dopamine-Transporter Binding with Risk of Parkinsonian Depression.

Background: Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder diagnosed in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). A direct role in PD depression for loss of dopaminergic terminals and dopamine-transporter (DAT) expression in the striatum is revealed by many studies.

Objectives: The objective was to discern the relationship between DAT neuroimaging and risk of depression in PD.

Is there a halo-enzymopathy in Parkinson's disease?

Laboratory studies identified changes in the metabolism of halogens in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with Parkinson's disease, which indicates the presence of "accelerated self-halogenation" of CSF and/or an increase in haloperoxidases, specifically serum thyroperoxidase and CSF lactoperoxidase. Furthermore, an excess of some halogenated derivatives, such as advanced oxygenation protein products (AOPP), has been detected in the CSF and serum. "Accelerated self-halogenation" and increased levels of haloperoxidases and AOPP proteins indicate that halogenative stress is present in Parkinson's disease.

Salivary ATP13A2 is a potential marker of therapy-induced motor complications and is expressed by inclusions in submandibulary glands in Parkinson ´s disease.

Background: ATP13A2 holds promise as biomarker for Parkinsońs disease (PD). No study has examined how salivary ATP13A2 is related to motor features in idiopathic PD.

Methods: Salivary ATP13A2 concentration was evaluated with ELISA, and statistical correlations of ATP13A2 level with PD parameters were examined.

Myeloperoxidase and Advanced Oxidation Protein Products in the Cerebrospinal Fluid in Women and Men with Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and advanced oxidation protein products, or AOPP (a type of MPO-derived chlorinated adducts), have been implicated in Parkinson´s disease (PD). Human MPO also show sex-based differences in PD. The objective was to study the relationship of MPO and AOPP in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with motor features of idiopathic PD in male and female patients.

Microorganisms associated with increased risk of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects more than 7 million people worldwide. Its aetiology is unknown, although the hypothesis of a genetic susceptibility to environmental agents is accepted. These environmental agents include fungi, bacteria, and viruses.