Journal of Parkinson's Disease - Volume Pre-press, issue Pre-press

Authors: Singh, Serena | Khayachi, Anouar | Milnerwood, Austen J. | DeMarco, Mari L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Introduction: Improved analytical tools for detailed characterization of synucleins in pre-clinical models of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and related synucleinopathies are needed. Objective: Develop a multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay to quantify species-specific sequences and structural heterogeneity in soluble α - and β-synucleins in brain tissue. Methods: Using a proteolytic digestion workflow, the MRM LC-MS/MS method assayed six proteotypic peptides from the α -synuclein sequence; three unique to mouse or human α -synuclein and three conserved in α - and β-synuclein. For quantification, we used labeled α -synuclein as the internal …standard and an external calibration curve. As proof of concept, the synuclein LC-MS/MS method was applied to brain tissue specimens from M83 transgenic PD mice, which overexpresses human α -synuclein, relative to wild-type littermate controls. Results: The synuclein MRM assay was linear over a wide concentration range (at least one order of magnitude). The assay had several advantages over ligand binding analytical methods, such as western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. These advantages included the ability to: quantify 1) total α -synuclein, 2) combined α - and β-synucleins, 3) species-specific contributions to total α -synuclein (e.g., in mice expressing both mouse and human α -synuclein), and 4) identify peptide-specific profile differences that may reflect post-translational modifications, all within a single analysis. Conclusion: With improved and expanded analytical characteristics coupled with a streamlined sample preparation workflow, the quantitative synuclein profiling LC-MS/MS assay provides a versatile and efficient platform to characterize synuclein biology in pre-clinical models and the potential for application to human tissues and fluids. Show more

Keywords: Protein sequence, transgenic mice, mass spectrometry, tandem mass spectrometry, Parkinson’s disease, synucleins

DOI: 10.3233/JPD-191835

Citation: Journal of Parkinson's Disease, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-9, 2020

Authors: Silver, Maya R. | Racette, Brad A. | Dube, Umber | Faust, Irene M. | Searles Nielsen, Susan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Well water frequently is considered a risk factor for Parkinson’s disease (PD), but few studies were designed appropriately to test whether geographic factors affect PD risk. Objective: To determine the risk of PD in relation to residential use of private well water. Methods: In a nationwide, population-based case-control study, we identified all incident PD cases (N = 89,790) and all comparable controls (N = 21,549,400) age 66–90 who solely relied on Medicare coverage in the U.S. in 2009. We estimated the probability of use of private well water using zip code of residence at diagnosis/reference and U.S. Census data …on household water source. We modeled this exposure linearly in logistic regression to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of PD risk in relation to well water use. We adjusted for age, sex and race/ethnicity, and verified that smoking and use of medical care did not confound results. We repeated analyses with a 2-year exposure lag and separately within each U.S. state. Results: Use of well water was inversely associated with PD risk (OR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.85–0.89). We confirmed this association in a Cox survival analysis in which we followed controls for 5 years, death or PD diagnosis. There was little evidence that well water use increased risk of PD in any individual state. Conclusions: Although it remains possible that exposures in well water in more narrow geographic regions increase PD risk, in general these results suggest that exposures more common in urban/suburban areas might also be relevant. Show more

Keywords: Case-control studies, drinking water, epidemiology, geographic factors, ground water, Medicare, Parkinson’s disease

DOI: 10.3233/JPD-191793

Citation: Journal of Parkinson's Disease, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-13, 2020

Authors: Johnson, Rebecca A. | Kelm-Nelson, Cynthia A. | Ciucci, Michelle R.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) experience significant vocal communication deficits. Findings in the Pink1 –/– rat model of early-onset PD suggest that ultrasonic vocal communication is impaired early, progressively worsens prior to nigrostriatal dopamine depletion, and is associated with loss of locus coeruleus neurons, brainstem α -synuclein, and larynx pathology. Individuals with PD also demonstrate ventilatory deficits and altered sensory processing, which may contribute to vocal deficits. Objective: The central hypothesis is that ventilatory and sensory deficits are present in the early disease stages when limb and vocal motor deficits also present. Methods: Pink1 –/– …rats were compared to wildtype (WT) controls at longitudinal timepoints. Whole-body flow through plethysmography, was used to measure ventilation in the following conditions: baseline, hypoxia, and maximal chemoreceptor stimulation. Plantar thermal nociception, and as a follow up to previous work, limb gait and vocalization were analyzed. Serotonin density (5-HT) in the dorsal raphe was quantified post-mortem. Results: Baseline breathing frequencies were consistently higher in Pink1 –/– rats at all time points. In hypoxic conditions, there were no significant changes between genotypes. With hypercapnia, Pink1 –/– rats had decreased breathing frequencies with age. Thermal withdrawal latencies were significantly faster in Pink1 –/– compared with WT rats across time. No differences in 5-HT were found between genotypes. Vocal peak frequency was negatively correlated to tidal volume and minute ventilation in Pink1 –/– rats. Conclusion: This work suggests that abnormal nociceptive responses in Pink1 –/– rats and ventilatory abnormalities may be associated with abnormal sensorimotor processing to chemosensory stimuli during disease manifestation. Show more

Keywords: Pink1, ventilation, rat, sensory, ultrasonic vocalization, Parkinson’s disease

DOI: 10.3233/JPD-191853

Citation: Journal of Parkinson's Disease, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-16, 2020

Authors: Shirahige, Lívia | Berenguer-Rocha, Marina | Mendonça, Sarah | Rocha, Sérgio | Rodrigues, Marcelo Cairrão | Monte-Silva, Kátia

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: Background: Individualized treatment guided by biomarkers certainly will play a crucial role in the more effective treatment of various neurological diseases in the near future. Identifying the electroencephalographic biomarkers in the brain of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) may help in the decision-making process of health professionals regarding the non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) protocols. Objective: To summarize quantitative electroencephalographic (qEEG) characteristics of patients with PD with motor symptoms at rest or during movement to identify potential biomarker associated with motor impairment in PD. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in the databases MEDLINE/PubMed, LILACS/BIREME, CINAHL/EBSCO, Web …of Science, and CENTRAL, performed according to PRISMA-statement guidelines. Two independent authors searched for studies that reported qEEG data related to motor outcomes at rest or during movements in patients with PD and compared the data with control healthy group. The studies’ methodological quality was examined using the Cochrane Handbook. Studies/sample characteristics, qEEG parameters/analyses, and the studies’ results were summarized. Prospero-register: CRD42018085660. Results: Nineteen studies (18 cross-sectional/one cross-over) with 312 PD patients and 277 controls, published between 1994-2018, were included for the qualitative analysis. In comparison to healthy controls, our findings suggest a slowing down of the cortical activity in patients with PD due to an increase of slower band waves activity and a decrease of fast band waves at resting and during complex movement execution mainly in the central and frontal cortex. Conclusion: Slowing down of cortical waves suggest excitatory NIBS for motor impairment in PD. However, qEEG biomarker for motor symptoms of PD cannot be established yet because the studies that related qEEG with motor outcomes presented methodological poor quality. Show more

Keywords: Parkinson’s disease, electroencephalography, biomarker, tremor dominant, postural instability/gait difficulty

DOI: 10.3233/JPD-191840

Citation: Journal of Parkinson's Disease, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-16, 2020

Authors: D’Cruz, Nicholas | Vervoort, Griet | Fieuws, Steffen | Moreau, Caroline | Vandenberghe, Wim | Nieuwboer, Alice

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: The onset of freezing of gait (FOG) represents a turning point in the lives of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). FOG increases fall risk and is associated with worse physical and mental health related quality of life, thus increasing disease burden. Moreover, therapeutic studies aiming to ameliorate freezing have had limited success. In a step towards pre-emptive therapy to delay or prevent the onset of FOG, this prospective cohort study set out to uncover clinical markers of conversion to FOG. Objective: Investigate clinical markers of conversion to FOG. Methods: Sixty PD patients without FOG were …followed up for two years and underwent extensive clinical testing each year. FOG classification was made with the New Freezing of Gait Questionnaire. Clinical predictors of conversion to FOG were investigated using univariate analysis and through building a multivariable model using all measured components. Results: Twelve patients developed FOG during the study (Incidence: 11.5% per year). Due to the large number of predictors, univariate analyses did not survive multiple comparison correction, precluding strong inference on any one predictor. Overall, the effect sizes suggested that motor deficits including difficulties with repetitive movement scaling (AUC: 0.71), coordination (AUC: 0.73) and consistency (AUC: 0.76) as well as gait asymmetry (AUC: 0.79) and variability (AUC: 0.71) were most predictive of conversion. Further, converters reported more subjective cognitive difficulty (AUC: 0.74), although their measured performance was similar to non-converters. Multivariable analyses further showed that the two components most consistently selected in the predictive model were: 1) an MDS-UPDRS component with worse axial motor, hand use and non-motor symptoms; and 2) finger tapping abnormalities. Conclusion: Conversion to FOG was predicted mainly by objective and clinical measures of motor dyscontrol, as non-motor disturbances were surfacing. Although based on a small cohort with limited converters, this novel finding informs future studies aimed at FOG prevention. Show more

Keywords: Parkinson’s disease, gait disorders, freezing of gait, prospective cohort study, clinical markers, bootstrapping

DOI: 10.3233/JPD-191759

Citation: Journal of Parkinson's Disease, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-13, 2020

Authors: Padmanabhan, Shalini | Lanz, Thomas A. | Gorman, Donal | Wolfe, Michele | Joyce, Alison | Cabrera, Carlos | Lawrence-Henderson, Rosemary | Levers, Najah | Joshi, Neal | Ma, Thong | Liong, Christopher | Narayan, Sushma | Alcalay, Roy N. | Hutten, Samantha J. | Baptista, Marco A.S. | Merchant, Kalpana

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The phosphorylated form of LRRK2, pS935 LRRK2, has been proposed as a target modulation biomarker for LRRK2 inhibitors. The primary aim of the study was to characterize and qualify this biomarker for therapeutic trials of LRRK2 inhibitors in Parkinson’s disease (PD). To this end, analytically validated assays were used to monitor levels of pS935 LRRK2 and total LRRK2 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from the following donor groups: healthy control, idiopathic PD, and G2019S carriers with and without PD. Neither analyte correlated with age, gender, or disease severity. While total LRRK2 levels were similar across the four groups, there …was a significant reduction in pS935 LRRK2 levels in disease-manifesting G2019S carriers compared to idiopathic PD. In aggregate, these data indicate that phosphorylation of LRRK2 at S935 may reflect a state marker for G2019S LRRK2 -driven PD, the underlying biology for which requires investigation in future studies. This study also provides critical foundational data to inform the integration of pS935 and total LRRK2 levels as biomarkers in therapeutic trials of LRRK2 kinase inhibitors. Show more

Keywords: pharmacodynamic, biomarker, Parkinson’s disease, blood cells

DOI: 10.3233/JPD-191786

Citation: Journal of Parkinson's Disease, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-7, 2020

Authors: De Mattos, Eduardo P. | Wentink, Anne | Nussbaum-Krammer, Carmen | Hansen, Christian | Bergink, Steven | Melki, Ronald | Kampinga, Harm H.

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: The pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple system atrophy, and many others converge at alpha-synuclein (α -Syn) aggregation. Although it is still not entirely clear what precise biophysical processes act as triggers, cumulative evidence points towards a crucial role for protein quality control (PQC) systems in modulating α -Syn aggregation and toxicity. These encompass distinct cellular strategies that tightly balance protein production, stability, and degradation, ultimately regulating α -Syn levels. Here, we review the main aspects of α -Syn biology, focusing on the cellular PQC components that are at the heart of recognizing and disposing toxic, aggregate-prone …α -Syn assemblies: molecular chaperones and the ubiquitin-proteasome system and autophagy-lysosome pathway, respectively. A deeper understanding of these basic protein homeostasis mechanisms might contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies envisioning the prevention and/or enhanced degradation of α -Syn aggregates. Show more

Keywords: Alpha-synuclein, synucleinopathies, protein homeostasis, protein aggregation, molecular chaperones, ubiquitin-proteasome system, autophagy

DOI: 10.3233/JPD-191790

Citation: Journal of Parkinson's Disease, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-14, 2020

Authors: Chahine, Lana M. | Chin, Iris | Caspell-Garcia, Chelsea | Standaert, David G. | Brown, Ethan | Smolensky, Luba | Arnedo, Vanessa | Daeschler, Daisy | Riley, Lindsey | Korell, Monica | Dobkin, Roseanne | Amondikar, Ninad | Gradinscak, Stephen | Shoulson, Ira | Dean, Marissa | Kwok, Kevin | Cannon, Paul | Marek, Kenneth | Kopil, Catherine | Tanner, Caroline M. | Marrason, Connie | behalf of the Fox Insight Study

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Online tools for data collection could be of value in patient-oriented research. The Fox Insight (FI) study collects data online from individuals with self-reported Parkinson’s disease (PD). Comparing the FI cohort to other cohorts assessed through more traditional (in-person) observational research studies would inform the representativeness and utility of FI data. Objective: To compare self-reported demographic characteristics, symptoms, medical history, and PD medication use of the FI PD cohort to other recent observational research study cohorts assessed with in-person visits. Methods: The FI PD cohort (n  = 12,654) was compared to 3 other cohorts, selected based …on data accessibility and breadth of assessments: Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI; PD n  = 422), Parkinson’s Disease Biomarker Program (PDBP; n  = 700), and PD participants in the LRRK2 consortium without LRRK2 mutations (n  = 508). Demographics, motor and non-motor assessments, and medications were compared across cohorts. Where available, identical items on surveys and assessments were compared; otherwise, expert opinion was used to determine comparable definitions for a given variable. Results: The proportion of females was significantly higher in FI (45.56%) compared to PPMI (34.36%) and PDBP (35.71%). The FI cohort had greater educational attainment as compared to all other cohorts. Overall, prevalence of difficulties with motor experiences of daily living and non-motor symptoms in the FI cohort was similar to other cohorts, with only a few significant differences that were generally small in magnitude. Missing data were rare for the FI cohort, except on a few variables. Discussion: Patterns of responses to patient-reported assessments obtained online on the PD cohort of the FI study were similar to PD cohorts assessed in-person. Show more

Keywords: Parkinson’s disease, survey methods, observational studies as topic, patient reported outcome measures

DOI: 10.3233/JPD-191808

Citation: Journal of Parkinson's Disease, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-15, 2019

Authors: Zhang, Lingyu | Zhang, Liping | Li, Yanwei | Li, Lin | Melchiorsen, Josefine Ulrikke | Rosenkilde, Mette | Hölscher, Christian

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease for which there is no cure. In a clinical trial, the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist exendin-4 has shown good protective effects in PD patients. The hormone glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) has also shown protective effects in animal models of PD. Objective: We tested DA-CH5, a novel dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist. Methods: DA-CH5 activity was tested on cells expressing GLP-1, GLP-2, GIP or glucagon receptors. The ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) of DA-CH5, exendin-4, liraglutide or other dual receptor agonists was tested with fluorescein-labelled peptides. …DA-CH5, exendin-4 and liraglutide were tested in the MPTP mouse model of PD. Results: Analysing the receptor activating properties showed a balanced activation of GLP-1 and GIP receptors while not activating GLP-2 or glucagon receptors. DA-CH5 crossed the BBB better than other single or other dual receptor agonists. In a dose-response comparison, DA-CH5 was more effective than the GLP-1 receptor agonist exendin-4. When comparing the neuroprotective effect of DA-CH5 with Liraglutide, a GLP-1 analogue, both DA-CH5 and Liraglutide improved MPTP-induced motor impairments. In addition, the drugs reversed the decrease of the number of neurons expressing tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the SN, alleviated chronic inflammation, reduced lipid peroxidation, inhibited the apoptosis pathway (TUNEL assay) and increased autophagy -related proteins expression in the substantia nigra (SN) and striatum. Importantly, we found DA-CH5 was superior to Liraglutide in reducing microglia and astrocyte activation, improving mitochondrial activity by reducing the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and normalising autophagy as found in abnormal expression of LC3 and p62. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that the DA-CH5 is superior to liraglutide and could be a therapeutic treatment for PD. Show more

Keywords: Dopamine, growth factors, insulin, mitochondria, neuroprotection, neuron

DOI: 10.3233/JPD-191768

Citation: Journal of Parkinson's Disease, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-20, 2019

Authors: von Linstow, Christian U. | DeLano-Taylor, Merritt | Kordower, Jeffrey H. | Brundin, Patrik

Article Type: Article Commentary

Abstract: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a slowly progressing neurodegenerative disorder that is coupled to both widespread protein aggregation and to loss of substantia nigra dopamine (DA) neurons, resulting in a wide variety of motor and non-motor signs and symptoms. Recent findings suggest that the PD process is triggered several years before there is sufficient degeneration of DA neurons to cause onset of overt motor symptoms. According to this concept, the number of DA neurons present in the substantia nigra at birth could influence the time from the molecular triggering event until the clinical diagnosis with lower number of neurons at birth …increasing the risk to develop the disease. Conversely, the risk for diagnosis would be reduced if the number of DA neurons is high at birth. In this commentary, we discuss the genetic and epigenetic factors that might influence the number of nigral DA neurons that each individual is born with and how these may be linked to PD risk. Show more

Keywords: Parkinson’s disease risk, dopamine neuron number, substantia nigra, neural development, motor dysfunction, cis-regulation

DOI: 10.3233/JPD-191877

Citation: Journal of Parkinson's Disease, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-7, 2019

Authors: Anastasopoulos, Dimitri

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: It is commonly believed that tremor, one of the cardinal signs of Parkinson’s disease, is associated with cerebello-thalamo-cortical oscillations set off by the dopamine-depleted basal ganglia networks. The triggering mechanism has been, however, not entirely delineated. Several reports have pointed to the relevance of interactions with peripheral/spinal mechanisms to tremor generation. Investigations of motor unit synchronization and discharge patterns suggested that exaggerated beta-band oscillations may intermittently reach alpha-motoneurons and modulate low-amplitude membrane oscillations due to spinal loop transmission delays. As a result, the spinal reflex loop will oscillate more vigorously and at a lower frequency and, in turn, entrain larger …transcortical loops. Motoneurons may thus represent the specific generator “node” in a tremor network encompassing both cerebral and peripheral/spinal recurrent circuits. Show more

Keywords: Parkinsonian tremor, motor unit synchrony, spike doublets, beta oscillations

DOI: 10.3233/JPD-191715

Citation: Journal of Parkinson's Disease, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-10, 2019

Authors: Tanner, Caroline M. | Pahwa, Rajesh | Hauser, Robert A. | Oertel, Wolfgang H. | Isaacson, Stuart H. | Jankovic, Joseph | Johnson, Reed | Chernick, Dustin | Hubble, Jean

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Gocovri® (amantadine) extended release capsules are approved for the treatment of dyskinesia in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) receiving levodopa-based therapy. Objective: To evaluate the long-term safety, tolerability, and efficacy of Gocovri in patients with PD experiencing levodopa-induced dyskinesia. Methods: In this 2-year open-label trial, patients completing double-blind Gocovri clinical trials or excluded from prior trials because of deep-brain stimulation (DBS) received Gocovri 274 mg once daily at bedtime. The primary objective was to evaluate long-term safety and tolerability. In addition, dyskinesia and OFF time were assessed using Part IV (Motor Complications) scores on the …Movement Disorder Society–Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS). Results: Among 223 enrolled patients (mean PD duration, 11.7 years; mean levodopa use, 9.3 years), 75.8% completed 1 year of treatment and 57.8% completed the trial, with a median treatment duration of 1.9 years. Common adverse events were fall (32.7%), hallucination (24.2%), peripheral edema (16.1%), constipation (13.5%), and urinary tract infection (10.3%); 31 patients (13.9%) discontinued because of adverse events considered related to study drug. At baseline, MDS-UPDRS Part IV scores were lower for patients continuing Gocovri (mean, 6.5 points) than for previous placebo (9.4) or DBS groups (10.5) but were similar for all groups by week 8 (6.3, 6.2, 6.4, respectively), and remained low for the duration of the trial (at week 100: 6.9, 7.3, 7.0, respectively). Conclusions: In patients with PD, Gocovri showed long-term safety and tolerability consistent with double-blind trial findings, and durable reduction in motor complications (dyskinesia and OFF time). Show more

Keywords: Amantadine, double-blind method, dyskinesias, extended-release preparations, Gocovri, hallucinations, humans, Levodopa, motor fluctuations, OFF, Parkinson’s disease, treatment

DOI: 10.3233/JPD-191841

Citation: Journal of Parkinson's Disease, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-16, 2019

Authors: Torikoshi, Sadaharu | Morizane, Asuka | Shimogawa, Takafumi | Samata, Bumpei | Miyamoto, Susumu | Takahashi, Jun

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Cell transplantation is expected to be a promising treatment for Parkinson’s disease (PD), in which re-innervation of the host striatum by grafted dopamine (DA) neurons is essential. In particular, the dorsolateral part of the striatum is important because it is the target of midbrain A9 DA neurons, which are degenerated in PD pathology. The effect of exercise on the survival and maturation of grafted neurons has been reported in several neurological disease models, but never in PD models. Objective: We investigated how exercise influences cell transplantation for PD, especially from the viewpoint of cell survival and neurite …extensions. Methods: Ventral mesencephalic neurons from embryonic (E12.5) rats were transplanted into the striatum of adult 6-OHDA-lesioned rats. The host rats then underwent treadmill training as exercise after the transplantation. Six weeks after the transplantation, they were sacrificed, and the grafts in the striatum were analyzed. Results: The addition of exercise post-transplantation significantly increased the number of surviving DA neurons. Moreover, it promoted neurite extensions from the graft toward the dorsolateral part of the striatum. Conclusions: This study indicates a beneficial effect of exercise after cell transplantation in PD. Show more

Keywords: Parkinson’s disease, cell transplantation, rehabilitation, exercise, cell survival, neuronal outgrowth

DOI: 10.3233/JPD-191755

Citation: Journal of Parkinson's Disease, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-11, 2019

Authors: Marxreiter, Franz | Buttler, Ulrike | Gassner, Heiko | Gandor, Florin | Gladow, Till | Winkler, Jürgen | Ebersbach, Georg | Klucken, Jochen

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is an age dependent neurodegenerative disorder with increasing prevalence. Digital technologies like computers and smartphones offer mobile telecommunication, diagnostic and monitoring and may connect the patient continuously with his healthcare team, providing disease related information, and support healthcare. Since the use of these technologies in western civilization is age dependent, possession and usage cannot be regarded as given in PD. In contrast to increasing efforts to implement digital technology into PD patient care, little is known about the use of computers, smartphones, and internet-affinity in PD patients. Objective: We evaluated the use of digital …technologies in different age groups of PD patients. Methods: We developed a questionnaire adapted to the annual German microcensus on “use of digital communication technologies”, allowing a comparison to the general population in Germany. Results: 190 PD patients completed the questionnaire. About 75% of PD patients access disease related information on the internet. Patients across all age groups used computers and the internet as frequent or more frequently compared to the German population. Use of computers, smartphones, and the internet in PD was age dependent. Advanced PD patients with higher motor impairment used smartphones less often, while mobile phone usage was not reduced. Conclusion: The adoption of a digital lifestyle is present in the PD population, apart from smartphone usage, which is impaired by motor symptoms. Thus, future healthcare technologies are not hampered by the inability of PD patients to use the necessary tools, however, fine motor-skill requirements have to be acknowledged. Show more

Keywords: Smartphones, digital media, Parkinson’s disease, movement disorder, digital healthcare

DOI: 10.3233/JPD-191698

Citation: Journal of Parkinson's Disease, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-11, 2019

Article Type: Correction

DOI: 10.3233/JPD-189001

Citation: Journal of Parkinson's Disease, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-1, 2018