Alpha-Synuclein and Cognitive Decline in Parkinson Disease
Journal
Life (Basel, Switzerland)
Journal Volume
11
Journal Issue
11
Pages
1239
Date Issued
2021-11-16
Author(s)
Abstract
Parkinson disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in elderly people. It is characterized by the aggregation of misfolded alpha-synuclein throughout the nervous system. Aside from cardinal motor symptoms, cognitive impairment is one of the most disabling non-motor symptoms that occurs during the progression of the disease. The accumulation and spreading of alpha-synuclein pathology from the brainstem to limbic and neocortical structures is correlated with emerging cognitive decline in PD. This review summarizes the genetic and pathophysiologic relationship between alpha-synuclein and cognitive impairment in PD, together with potential areas of biomarker advancement.
Subjects
Lewy body; Parkinson disease; SNCA; alpha-synuclein; biomarker; cognition; dementia; genetic; neurodegeneration; non-motor symptom
Type
journal article