Co‐ and Multi‐Pathologies in Parkinson's Disease: An International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society Scientific Issues Committee Review
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Parkinson's disease (PD) has been historically defined as a disease of striatal dopamine deficiency secondary to degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, related to the presence of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites. Since the discovery of pathogenic variants in the gene encoding α-synuclein, as well as the finding that α-synuclein is a major constituent of Lewy pathology, PD is considered as a prototypical synucleinopathy. However, neuropathological studies consistently show that most people with PD display copathologies, many of which are linked to specific clinical features and outcomes. In this review, we summarize the spectrum and frequency of these co- and multi-pathologies in idiopathic and genetic PD and their impact on disease initiation and progression. Additionally, we also discuss how this multi-pathological landscape may impact biomarker research and the implementation of emerging disease-modifying therapies. © 2026 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Source: Movement Disorders
DOI: 10.1002/mds.70324
Institutions: HM Hospitales, University Hospital HM Puerta del Sur, Aarhus University, Lundbeck Foundation, University College Dublin, University of Gezira, Barrow Neurological Institute, Capital Medical University, UNSW Sydney, Beijing Tian Tan Hospital, Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, University of Lübeck, Karolinska Institutet, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto Western Hospital, Krembil Research Institute, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Arizona State University
Language: English
Subfield: Neurology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,480
OpenAlex ID: W7162115761