Parkinson’s Disease and Aging

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most severe human neurodegenerative diseases. It is mainly represented by its sporadic form with a multifactorial nature and is commonly diagnosed in persons over 65 years of age. Current data on the molecular mechanisms of PD development and their connection with aging processes are given in the review. The mechanisms of conformational control and selective degradation of proteins in the cell, as well as possible trigger factors initiating the cascade of pathological reactions, have been analyzed. Prospects for the solution of the problem of the elimination of basic causes of PD incurability (late diagnosis and ineffective treatment) related to determination of reliable nonmotor markers of preclinical identification and the correction of early disorder of integrative brain functions are evaluated. The focus is on an analysis of early sleep and behavior disorders in PD and aging. The currently known endogenous neuroprotective factors capable of inhibiting the neurodegenerative process in this disease are considered.