Differences from the progression of motor and nonmotor symptoms according to the side of onset of symptoms in Parkinson Disease

• Grant number: 15/09774-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2015
• End date: August 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Ana Carolina Coan
• Grantee: Julian Furtado Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the degeneration of the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Its etiology is not fully known, but it is believed that there is an interaction between genetic and environmental factors. The motor symptoms are bradykinesia, rigidity, resting tremor and postural instability. One important clinical characteristic is the asymmetry of symptoms. The onset is usually unilateral, and this asymmetry remains throughout the course of the disease. The mechanisms that result in this asymmetry have not yet been elucidated; it is also not clear whether there is a relationship between the side of onset and the side of dominance (left or right hand) with the progression of motor symptoms and non-motor symptoms. Our goal is evaluate if dominance and the side of onset are important predictors of symptom progression in PD.