The Impact of Parkinson’s Disease on Postural Control in Older People and How Sex can Mediate These Results: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction: Parkinson’s disease is most prevalent among elderly people, 65 years and over, and leads to an alteration in motor control associated with postural instability. Current evidence shows that postural control decreases with the aging process. In addition, postural control is more altered in healthy aged men than in women. Until today, few studies have evaluated the combined impact of Parkinson’s disease and sex on postural control. This review has allowed to evaluate the impact of Parkinson’s disease and sex on postural control measurements in elderly people. Methodology: Studies have been selected from two main databases: PubMed and EBSCO using the keywords “Parkinson”, “postural control OR balance” and “sex”. Articles related to the evaluation of postural control, including men and women with Parkinson’s aged over 65 years old, regardless of stage, were included (n = 179). Articles were excluded if not written in French or English or not presenting original content. Results: Ten (10) studies out of 179 that fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria were reported in the final analysis, which cumulates a total of 944 individuals with Parkinson’s (410 women). In general, results show greater postural instability among people with Parkinson’s compared to healthy subjects, and this according to different objective measurements using stabilographic parameters from force platforms. Only two studies out of ten evaluated postural control while briefly considering distinctions between sex, but without showing a significant difference between men and women with Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s severity, length of time of Parkinson’s disease and cognitive state of the person are the three variables with a negative impact on postural control. Conclusion: Older people with Parkinson’s disease have greater postural instability. Sex does not seem to influence the postural control of elderly people with Parkinson’s, although more studies are necessary.

Microalgae Octapeptide IIAVEAGC Alleviates Oxidative Stress and Neurotoxicity in 6‐OHDA‐Induced SH‐SY5Y Cells by Regulating the Nrf2/HO‐1and Jak2/Stat3 Pathways

“…Both neuronal cell oxidative stress and apoptosis, which are caused by the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), are major causes of dopamine loss, and the death of dopaminergic neurons further causes aggregation of α-synaptic proteins. [2][3][4] Therefore, inhibiting the oxidative stress caused by ROS production is a critical step. Hexahydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), a hydroxylated derivative of catecholamine, has been used as a pathogenic agent in PD models to explore the molecular basis of cytotoxicity and studying neuroinflammation including the death of human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y).…”

“…Although the true etiology of Parkinson's disease remains controversial, some molecular events have been identified as important factors in its occurrence. Both neuronal cell oxidative stress and apoptosis, which are caused by the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), are major causes of dopamine loss, and the death of dopaminergic neurons further causes aggregation of α‐synaptic proteins [2–4] . Therefore, inhibiting the oxidative stress caused by ROS production is a critical step.…”

The implications of the foot health status in Parkinson patients: A case–control study

“…All this worsens if the presence of tremors in the lower limbs and frozen gait are added. 4 Previous studies have analysed in Parkinson patients the quality of life in relation to the state of health of the foot, 5 the presence and levels of depression, 6 the fear of movement they experience, 7 all of these circumstances being affected by neurological disease with a negative impact. Novo-Trillo et al analysed the feet of 53 patients with Parkinson's, resulting in 88.68% presenting some podiatric pathology, predominantly nail pathologies and presentation of the ankle joint in equine position.…”

“…It is of great importance to investigate the subject of the feet and their involvement in PD, among other reasons because it is known that foot problems affect posture by increasing postural instability and balance disorders, which Parkinson's patients already suffer, with repercussions on walking and falls. All this worsens if the presence of tremors in the lower limbs and frozen gait are added 4 …”