Nitric Oxide in Parkinson's Disease: The Potential Role of Dietary Nitrate in Enhancing Cognitive and Motor Health via the Nitrate-Nitrite-Nitric Oxide Pathway.

Background/objectives: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the , leading to motor symptoms such as tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia. The pathological hallmarks of PD include Lewy bodies and mechanisms like oxidative/nitrosative stress, chronic inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Nitric oxide (NO), produced by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms, plays a dual role in neuroprotection and neurodegeneration.