Enfermedad de Parkinson. Perspectiva clínica y del diagnóstico para la investigación de tratamientos

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.0112419078

• Palavras-chave: Enfermedad de Parkinson, epidemiología, diagnostico

• Keywords: Parkinson´s disease, epidemiology, diagnosis

• Abstract: Parkinson's Disease is a complex neurodegenerative disorder which manifests itself through various symptoms caused by the death of dopaminergic neuronal cells in the substantia nigra (SN), leading to significant disability and a decrease in quality of life. It is characterized by the presence of motor symptoms but also non-motor symptoms according to clinical classification criteria. It is currently considered a multisystem neurodegenerative disease since it affects the central nervous system, the enteric nervous system, the autonomic nervous system, the adaptive immune system, and the gastrointestinal tract at the same time. It has a worldwide distribution and a clear trend of increasing prevalence of parkinsonism with adulthood can be observed (for both men and women) and it is also positively associated with depression. Several possible risk factors have been suggested, from exposure to environmental toxins to genetics. The diagnosis of PD is based on the evolution of the characteristic symptoms and signs, through clinical history and physical examination to evaluate motor and neurological function. There are also tests for differential diagnosis such as Magnetic Resonance and Positron Emission Tomography.