Introduction: The Earliest Phase of Parkinson’s Disease: Possibilities for Detection and Intervention

Abstract

This is an exciting time in Parkinson's disease (PD) research. Real progress has been made in our understanding of the pathophysiology, manifestations, progression and biomarkers of Parkinson's disease in the last two decades. We now recognize PD as the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and the world's fastest growing neurological condition. We are starting to understand the heterogeneity of disease, in which the main features that distinguish one person's path from another can start to be identified (noting that many of these features are not even motor). Most critically, we are beginning to gain the ability to recognize pathobiologic processes of PD long before the classic signs and symptoms emerge. The transition from the definition of PD as a clinical syndrome of bradykinesia, rigidity and rest tremor, to a biologic entity that can be diagnosed with biomarkers is a critical step. It could increase the probability of developing neuroprotective treatments that could ultimately alter the underlying degenera-