In vitro and in vivo NMR based metabolomics in Parkinson's disease

Abstract

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a heterogenous, neurodegenerative disease with distinct pathophysiological progression. Symptom specific biomarkers may help in early diagnosis, differentiating PD subgroups and in identifying early changes associated with cognitive impairment, dementia and common non-motor symptoms. The in-vitro and in-vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy techniques allow comprehensive, non-invasive characterization of bio-fluids (urine and saliva) and metabolic alterations and provide information on disease pathophysiology. This review summarizes the cerebral metabolic alterations and signature changes in bio-fluids in PD in comparison to controls, assessed by magnetic resonance techniques. The alterations in brain metabolites attributed to non-motor symptoms in PD with emphasis on cognitive impairment are also presented.