[Parkinson's disease and aging.]

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most severe human neurodegenerative diseases that is mainly represented by sporadic form with multifactorial nature and commonly diagnosed in persons over 65 years of age. Current data on molecular mechanisms of PD development and their connection with processes of aging have been given in the review. Mechanisms of conformational control and selective degradation of proteins in the cell, possible trigger factors initiating the cascade of pathological reactions have been analyzed. Perspectives to solve the problem of elimination of basic causes of PD incurability (late diagnosis, and ineffective treatment) related to determination of reliable non-motor markers of the preclinical identification and early disorder correction of integrative brain functions have been evaluated. The basic attention is paid to an analysis of early sleep and behavior disorders in PD and aging. Known at the present moment endogenous neuroprotective factors capable to inhibit the neurodegenerative process in this disease have been considered.