Sex differences in peripheral and central dysregulation of the kynurenine pathway in Parkinson's disease.

ABSTRACT: We previously demonstrated that kynurenine pathway (KP) dysregulation associates with Parkinson's disease (PD) and its symptoms. Here, we profiled 16 KP-related markers in a second, independent cohort; plasma: n = 202 (116 PD ("OFF"), 86 controls); CSF: n = 183 (108, 75). Consistent with previous findings, we detected significantly higher concentrations of neurotoxic 3-hydroxykynurenine in plasma and lower concentrations of neuroprotective kynurenic acid along with higher neurotoxic quinolinic acid/kynurenic acid ratios in CSF of PD patients. Additionally, 10 markers showed sex-based differences, with more pronounced dysregulation in females. These 10 markers loaded to a single principal component linked to higher UPDRS I and II scores. Together, this suggests a composite signature of KP d

SUBMITTER: Jellen LC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12056004 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature