Dysphagia is associated with presynaptic dopaminergic dysfunction and greater non-motor symptom burden in early drug-naive Parkinson's patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The underlying pathophysiology of dysphagia is multifactorial and evidence clarifying the precise mechanisms are scarce. Dysfunction in dopamine-related and non-dopamine-related pathways, changes in cortical networks related with swallowing and peripheral mechanisms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of dysphagia. We aimed at investigating whether dysphagia is associated with presynaptic dopaminergic deficits, faster motor symptom progression and cognitive decline in a population of early drug-naïve patients with Parkinson's disease.

Methods

By exploring the database of Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative we identified forty-nine early drug-naïve Parkinson's disease patients with dysphagia. Dysphagia was identified with SCOPA-AUT question 1 (answer re

SUBMITTER: Polychronis S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6657830 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature