Predicting dementia risk in patients with Parkinson’s disease using glucocerebrosidase activity

Takeaway

  • Early cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucocerebrosidase (GCase) activity may predict the development of dementia in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Why this matters

  • A reduction in GCase activity caused by mutations in the glucocerebrosidase gene (GBA) are common risk factors for PD and dementia in PD (PDD).

  • If early GCase activity can predict the future development of dementia in patients with PD, prophylactic measures can be recommended for patients with newly diagnosed PD.