Title:Lifestyle Modulators of Neuroplasticity in Parkinson’s Disease: Evidence
in Human Neuroimaging Studies
Volume: 23
Issue: 5
Author(s): Silvia Paola Caminiti*, Silvia Gallo, Federico Menegon, Andrea Naldi, Cristoforo Comi and Giacomo Tondo
Affiliation:
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
Keywords:
Neurodegeneration, physical exercise, diet, smoking, PET, MRI, cognitive reserve, neuroplasticity.
Abstract: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by both motor and
non-motor symptoms. A progressive neuronal loss and the consequent clinical impairment lead to
deleterious effects on daily living and quality of life. Despite effective symptomatic therapeutic
approaches, no disease-modifying therapies are currently available. Emerging evidence suggests that
adopting a healthy lifestyle can improve the quality of life of PD patients. In addition, modulating lifestyle
factors can positively affect the microstructural and macrostructural brain levels, corresponding
to clinical improvement. Neuroimaging studies may help to identify the mechanisms through which
physical exercise, dietary changes, cognitive enrichment, and exposure to substances modulate neuroprotection.
All these factors have been associated with a modified risk of developing PD, with attenuation
or exacerbation of motor and non-motor symptomatology, and possibly with structural and
molecular changes. In the present work, we review the current knowledge on how lifestyle factors
influence PD development and progression and the neuroimaging evidence for the brain structural,
functional, and molecular changes induced by the adoption of positive or negative lifestyle behaviours.