A systematic review and meta-analysis on glymphatic flow dysfunction in Parkinson's disease and Parkinsonism spectrum.

ABSTRACT: This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized evidence of glymphatic dysfunction in Parkinson's disease (PD) and related Parkinsonian syndromes using the diffusion tensor imaging along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) index. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, 28 studies published up to May 12, 2025, were included. The primary meta-analysis of 21 studies (1678 patients with PD and 1088 HCs) demonstrated a significant reduction in the DTI-ALPS index in patients with PD (Cohen's d = -0.57; 95% CI: -0.67 to -0.47; p < 0.001), indicating moderate glymphatic dysfunction. This impairment was significantly associated with clinical progression, including longer disease duration (β = -0.08, p = 0.005) and higher Hoehn and Yahr (H-Y) stages (β = -0.18, p = 0.057). This association was part

SUBMITTER: Ghaderi S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12550064 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature