EARLY-STAGE PARKINSON'S DISEASE: UNDERSTANDING THE BURDEN OF NON-MOTOR MANIFESTATIONS

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder predominantly affecting the elderly. It is characterized by the degeneration of dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra, resulting in the formation of Lewy bodies, which disrupt the substantia striatum pathway and reduce DA levels in the caudate nucleus and putamen. The incidence of PD is higher in males than in females, affecting approximately 2% of the 10 million individuals suffering from the disease worldwide. The International Movement Disorders Association (MDS) has categorized PD onset into three stages: preclinical, prodromal, and clinical, with non-motor symptoms manifesting in the earlier stages. These non-motor symptoms impose a substantial psychological and economic burden on patients and their families, highlighting the significance of early intervention to mitigate PD's pathological progression.