Dear Colleagues,

 

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by a clinical symptomatology involving both motor and non-motor symptoms, which may have a major impact on the quality of life. The pathological hallmarks of PD are abnormal accumulation of alpha-synuclein aggregates, Lewy bodies, and Lewy neuritis. The alpha-synucleinopathy in PD involves not only dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta of the midbrain but also other vulnerable neurotransmitter systems in the central nervous system. To date, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying various symptoms in patients with PD remain unclear. Additionally, both medication and surgical treatment can relieve the symptoms of patients with PD although the fundamental treatment is still unavailable. This special edition will comprise papers that are pertinent to Parkinson’s disease. The field of Parkinson’s disease has made major advances in recent years and I hope that some of the manuscript in this special edition will reflect on this.

 

Dr. Ho-Sung Ryu

Guest Editor