Neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD) starts well before the appearance of the cardinal motor symptoms. During the prodromal stage of PD, several non-motor and subtle motor symptoms can be observed. Olfactory loss, REM sleep behavior disorder, excessive daytime sleepiness, autonomic dysfunction and impaired color vision can precede motor symptoms by many years.
Imaging biomarkers for prodromal PD include dopaminergic transporter imaging, MIBG scintigraphy, substantia nigra hyperechogenicity and novel imaging techniques. Alpha-synuclein pathology can be identified in prodromal PD patients in peripheral tissue, including colon, skin and salivary gland biopsies. Detailed characterization of the prodromal stage of PD is a highly relevant research topic.
Defining at-risk populations and assessing the predictive value of prodromal markers for phenoconversion will hopefully pave the way for personalized medicine for PD patients. The prodromal stage of PD is undoubtedly a therapeutic window of opportunity for future clinical trials with novel disease-modifying treatment.
This Research Topic aims to discuss recent developments in prodromal Parkinson's disease. We welcome the submission of original research articles as well as review articles, covering but not limited to, the following themes:
• Clinical and imaging markers of prodromal Parkinson's disease
• Identification of novel tissue and fluid biomarkers
• Disease progression markers and phenoconversion
• Genetics of prodromal PD: monogenic, oligogenic, genome-wide studies
• Novel therapeutic approaches in prodromal PD
Neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD) starts well before the appearance of the cardinal motor symptoms. During the prodromal stage of PD, several non-motor and subtle motor symptoms can be observed. Olfactory loss, REM sleep behavior disorder, excessive daytime sleepiness, autonomic dysfunction and impaired color vision can precede motor symptoms by many years.
Imaging biomarkers for prodromal PD include dopaminergic transporter imaging, MIBG scintigraphy, substantia nigra hyperechogenicity and novel imaging techniques. Alpha-synuclein pathology can be identified in prodromal PD patients in peripheral tissue, including colon, skin and salivary gland biopsies. Detailed characterization of the prodromal stage of PD is a highly relevant research topic.
Defining at-risk populations and assessing the predictive value of prodromal markers for phenoconversion will hopefully pave the way for personalized medicine for PD patients. The prodromal stage of PD is undoubtedly a therapeutic window of opportunity for future clinical trials with novel disease-modifying treatment.
This Research Topic aims to discuss recent developments in prodromal Parkinson's disease. We welcome the submission of original research articles as well as review articles, covering but not limited to, the following themes:
• Clinical and imaging markers of prodromal Parkinson's disease
• Identification of novel tissue and fluid biomarkers
• Disease progression markers and phenoconversion
• Genetics of prodromal PD: monogenic, oligogenic, genome-wide studies
• Novel therapeutic approaches in prodromal PD
