Molecular Diagnostics of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by the preferential loss of dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNPc) region of the midbrain, leading to movement dysfunction. Aging is a primary risk factor for PD, but genetic and environmental factors also play vital roles. Although 90% of PD is sporadic in general, many familial PD-linked genes cause autosomal dominant or recessive forms of the disease. The cardinal features of PD are bradykinesia, resting tremor, rigidity, and postural instability. There is no cure or prevention for PD, while the current treatment options only provide symptomatic relief. The key pathological hallmarks of PD are Lewy bodies (LBs) and Lewy neurites (LNs), characterized by the accumulation of proteinaceous cytoplasmic and neuritic inclusions containing α-synuclein as a major constituent.

Although there is accumulating evidence suggesting that the abnormal accumulation of misfolded α-synuclein triggers selective loss of DA neurons in PD, the underlying molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration are still poorly understood. Although SNPc and striatum in the central nervous system (CNS) are primarily affected in PD, the accumulation of pathological α-synuclein in other CNS regions may contribute to many non-motor symptoms, such as cognitive impairment, autonomic dysfunctions, neuropsychiatric, and sleep disorders and others. On the other hand, as there is no biomarker for PD, we have an urgent need to discover PD biomarkers which could potentially facilitate diagnosis and treatments.

In this Special Issue, we welcome research studies and/or reviews on the highlighted topics. Studies identifying molecular pathways of neurodegeneration with translational implications and preclinical studies using advanced and/or novel animal models are especially welcome. We are also interested in studies on biomarker discovery. In particular, studies identifying potential prognostic, diagnostic, progression or target engagement biomarkers, and/or biomarkers distinguishing PD from other related synucleinopathies and dementia will receive special consideration.

Dr. Saurav Brahmachari
Dr. Senthilkumar S. Karuppagounder
Guest Editors

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• Parkinson’s disease
• α-synuclein
• Biomarkers
• Dopamine
• Animal models