The possible role of an autoimmune mechanism in the etiopathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.

The clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) is established through clinical signs such as bradykinesia, rigidity, and resting tremor. Recently, immune system involvement has been implicated as a major pathogenic factor in the onset and progression of PD. We examine the presence of autoantibodies against phosphatidylserine (PS), cardiolipin (CL) and dsDNA in 45 PD patients and 38 healthy controls and provide evidence to the possible connection to oxidative stress.