Abstract .Background. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a multisystem disease that requires a more comprehensive approach to its study and treatment. The purpose was to give clinical and laboratory characteristics of PD patients, in whom the onset of motor symptoms of the disease is associated with the action of precipitating factors and provide a theoretical justification for the underlying and/or associated electrophysiological phenomena. Materials and methods. Two hundred and seven patients with PD were examined. Questionnaire analysis and laboratory research were performed. Results. Among patients with a rapidly progressive type of PD, pain during the survey was registered in 49 (42.2 %) cases, and stress in 73 (62.3 %). In cases of a slowly progressive course, 14 (15.4 %) individuals experienced pain syndromes, and 53 (58.2 %) patients — stress. Statistically significant differences between patients with rapidly and slowly progressive PD courses were noted in the number of cases of herpetic diseases, inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity. The results of laboratory tests also showed statistically significant differences between these groups in the blood serum level of IL1β and cortisol, the level of IL1β in the cerebrospinal fluid, and the albumin coefficient. The patients with a rapidly progressive type of disease presented with a greater number of precipitating factors for PD development. In patients with rapidly progressive PD, the number of precipitating factors and the serum level of antibodies to α-synuclein (r = –0.18), IL10 (r = 0.31), and cortisol (r = 0.18) correlated. Some objective characteristics of non-motor PD symptoms statistically significantly correlated with a level of laboratory biomarkers in blood serum (Montreal Cognitive Assessment value with cortisol level (r = –0.4); Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index value with antibodies to α-synuclein (r = 0.31); Epworth Sleepiness Scale value with IL10 level (r = –0.21)). Significant acute psychological stresses and pain syndromes may change the pattern of propagation of depolarization waves in the nervous system with the forma-tion of “autowave penumbra”. Possible clinical criteria for the effectiveness of therapy that change the course of PD are presented. Conclusions. Pain syndromes and acute significant psychological stresses not only contribute to the onset of motor symptoms of PD but also lead to the rapid progression of the disease. The effect of precipitating factors may manifest itself not only in clinical, morphological, and laboratory changes but also in changes in the excitability of nerve cells. The electrophysiological penumbra (“autowave penumbra”) can be considered a possible target for the action of a therapy method that modifies the course of PD. CLICK TO REIEW
Keywords: Parkinson’s disease; precipitating factors; stress; pain syndrome; autowave penumbra; depolarization wave; therapy criteria