Stefanie Lerche1, Kathrin Brockmann2, Isabel Wurster2, Alexandra Gaenslen2, Benjamin Roeben2, Daniel Holz2, Gerhard W Eschweiler3, Walter Maetzler2, Daniela Berg2. 1. Center of Neurology, Department of Neurodegeneration and Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, Hoppe Seyler-Strasse 3, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Tuebingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 27, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany. Electronic address: Stefanie.lerche@uni-tuebingen.de. 2. Center of Neurology, Department of Neurodegeneration and Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, Hoppe Seyler-Strasse 3, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Tuebingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 27, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany. 3. Geriatric Center and Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tübingen, Germany.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Mild parkinsonian signs (MPS) are common in the elderly population. Several factors including physical decline and comorbidities in addition to neurodegeneration may be possible sources for MPS. The objective was to examine whether MPS are associated with a history of orthopedic disturbances, vascular diseases or prodromal markers for neurodegeneration. METHODS: The TREND study is a prospective longitudinal cohort study in individuals >50 years with biennial assessments designed to identify prodromal markers for neurodegeneration. In this substudy, 1091 elderly individuals were evaluated for a possible association of MPS with prodromal markers for neurodegeneration, orthopedic disturbances, vascular diseases, as well as cerebral abnormalities. These factors were assessed by self-administered questionnaires, with a structured health interview, a neurological examination and by transcranial sonography. RESULTS: 82 participants showed MPS. They were found to have more often hyposmia and RBD, had a higher autonomic dysfunction score and they more frequently showed hyperechogenicity of the substantia nigra compared to controls. Neither orthopedic disturbances nor vascular diseases were significantly associated with the prevalence of MPS. CONCLUSION: MPS might be a sign of early neurodegeneration rather than caused by other motor influencing diseases.
INTRODUCTION: Mild parkinsonian signs (MPS) are common in the elderly population. Several factors including physical decline and comorbidities in addition to neurodegeneration may be possible sources for MPS. The objective was to examine whether MPS are associated with a history of orthopedic disturbances, vascular diseases or prodromal markers for neurodegeneration. METHODS: The TREND study is a prospective longitudinal cohort study in individuals >50 years with biennial assessments designed to identify prodromal markers for neurodegeneration. In this substudy, 1091 elderly individuals were evaluated for a possible association of MPS with prodromal markers for neurodegeneration, orthopedic disturbances, vascular diseases, as well as cerebral abnormalities. These factors were assessed by self-administered questionnaires, with a structured health interview, a neurological examination and by transcranial sonography. RESULTS: 82 participants showed MPS. They were found to have more often hyposmia and RBD, had a higher autonomic dysfunction score and they more frequently showed hyperechogenicity of the substantia nigra compared to controls. Neither orthopedic disturbances nor vascular diseases were significantly associated with the prevalence of MPS. CONCLUSION:MPS might be a sign of early neurodegeneration rather than caused by other motor influencing diseases.