Parkinson's Disease: Insights into Pathogenesis and Symptomatology

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder affecting over 10 million people worldwide, with prevalence rising with age. It is characterized by motor symptoms like bradykinesia and rigidity, and non-motor symptoms driven by dopaminergic neuron loss in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Key pathological features include alpha-synuclein aggregation into Lewy bodies, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation.As PD progresses, dopamine depletion worsens, leading to advanced motor complications and non-motor impairments. Current treatments alleviate symptoms but do not prevent neurodegeneration. Understanding the mechanisms of alpha-synuclein aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation is essential for developing effective disease-modifying therapies.