Peripheral Inflammation Is Associated with Dopaminergic Degeneration in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Peripheral inflammatory immune responses are suggested to play a major role in dopaminergic degeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD). The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a well-established biomarker of systemic inflammation in PD. Degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system can be assessed in vivo using [ I]FP-CIT single photon emission computed tomography imaging of striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) density.

Serum lipid profile among sporadic and familial forms of Parkinson's disease.

Brain cholesterol metabolism has been described as altered in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Serum lipid levels have been widely studied in PD with controversial results among different populations and age groups. The present study is aimed at determining if the serum lipid profile could be influenced by the genetic background of PD patients.

Peripheral Immune Profile and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in peripheral blood is a well-established inflammatory marker, but its role in Parkinson's disease (PD) remains unclear.

Objectives: To determine whether a different peripheral immune profile and NLR were present in PD patients.

Methods: We conducted a case-control study that included 377 PD patients and 355 healthy controls (HCs).

Association of PICALM with Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Cognitive impairment is one of the most disabling nonmotor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD). Recently, a genome-wide association study in Alzheimer's disease has identified the PICALM rs3851179 polymorphism as one of the most significant susceptibility genes for Alzheimer's disease after APOE. The aim of this study was to determine the potential role of PICALM and its genetic interaction with APOE in the development of cognitive decline in PD.