Lower GDNF Serum Level Is a Possible Risk Factor for Constipation in Patients With Parkinson Disease: A Case-Control Study.

Constipation is a significant symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD). Glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is important for the morphogenesis of the enteric nervous system and plays a critical role in the preservation of mucosal integrity under enteric glia surveillance. The aim of this work was to evaluate the serum levels of GDNF in patients with PD with and without constipation.

Clinical Features and Correlates of Poor Nighttime Sleepiness in Patients with Parkinson's Disease.

Objective: The present study investigated the clinical features and correlates of poor nighttime sleepiness (PNS) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods: One hundred ten patients with PD (divided into PD-PNS group and PD-nPNS group) and forty-seven controls (nPD-PNS group) were enrolled in this study. Demographic information was collected.

Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in Chinese Patients with Parkinson's Disease.

Purpose: To observe the occurrence and influencing factors of the symptoms related to the digestive system of people at the early and middle stages of PD and of healthy controls (HCs) using a questionnaire.

Method: The questionnaire was given to 108 PD patients at early and middle stages. Twelve symptoms related to the digestive system, of which seven were listed on the Parkinson's Disease Non-Motor Symptom Scale (PD-NMSS) and the Scale for Outcomes in Parkinson's disease-Autonomic (SCOPA-AUT) (dysgeusia, dysphagia/choking, salivation, early satiety, constipation, loose stools, and fecal incontinence) and five symptoms used in the diagnosis and treatment of PD (loss of appetite, dry mouth, mouth pain, nausea and vomiting), were used.