Community disadvantage linked to increased motor symptom severity in Parkinson's Disease

Neurology Live highlighted research published in the journal Neurology Clinical Practice led by the University of Cincinnati's Emily Hill that found community disadvantage was associated with worse motor symptom severity and motor disability in patients with Parkison disease (PD) and atypical parkinsonisms. 

“If environmental exposures or other social determinants of health in these communities are worsening PD motor symptoms, programs to address these at the individual and community levels could improve quality of life, including motor outcomes,” Hill, MD, assistant professor in UC's College of Medicine and a UC Health physician, and colleagues wrote.

“Our findings also suggest a vulnerable subpopulation of PD and atypical parkinsonisms in disadvantaged communities," the coauthors continued. "Currently, most people with PD seen in academic movement disorder clinics are from well-resourced neighborhoods, but our findings suggest that people with PD in disadvantaged neighborhoods have more challenges in motor symptoms and may need help reaching subspecialty care.”

Read the Neurology Live article.

Featured photo at top of 3-D illustration of a dopamine molecule. Photo/Dr_Microbe/iStock.