Abstract
Background and Purpose: Peripheral nerve function plays an important role in balance control. Impairment of peripheral sensory information appears in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). Furthermore, there is a link between peripheral nerve disorders and vitamin B12 level. Here, we studied whether there were deficits of peripheral nerve function and vitamin B12 level, which may lead to decreased postural stability in PD.Methods: Fifty PD and 50 age-matched healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. This study evaluated folic acid and vitamin B12 levels in serum. Postural balance was studied according to the clinical Tinetti scale. Some comprehensive physiological assessments of peripheral nerve functions, including peripheral sensation, the perception of temperature, pain, and touch sensations, were also undertaken in this study.Results: Compared with the control group, vitamin B12 and folic acid were decreased in PD (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the PD group exhibited declines in peripheral nerve functions, including touch, temperature, pain, and nerve conduction velocity (P < 0.05). Statistical tests identified a significant association between decreased peripheral nerve function and poor balance according to the Tinetti scale (P < 0.05). Low vitamin B12 levels were also associated with deficits of peripheral nerve function, cumulative levodopa dose, and poor balance in PD (P < 0.05).Conclusions: Data suggested that peripheral nerve function was impaired in people with PD. Deficits of sensory input and low vitamin B12 level may contribute to balance deficits in PD.
Highlights
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease, which manifests due to the loss of dopamine cells in the substantia nigra area
This study aimed to evaluate the differences of peripheral nerve function and serum biochemical indexes between people with PD and healthy individuals by using a series of physiological assessments
Among the 50 PD patients, only 6 patients were on carbidopa and 3 patients were on catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors
Summary
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease, which manifests due to the loss of dopamine cells in the substantia nigra area. Motor deficits are considered to be the key factors affecting postural stability in patients living with this chronic and progressive brain disease. Impairments of peripheral sensory function may occur in people with PD and impact the patients’ ability to maintain equilibrium. Little has been done to look into the nature and extent of sensory impairments in people with PD. Peripheral nerve function plays an important role in balance control. Impairment of peripheral sensory information appears in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). There is a link between peripheral nerve disorders and vitamin B12 level. We studied whether there were deficits of peripheral nerve function and vitamin B12 level, which may lead to decreased postural stability in PD
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