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Authors & Affiliations
Isar Yahyavi, Alberto Imarisio, Micol Avenali, Anna Di Maio, Gabriele Buongarzone, Caterina Galandra, Marta Picascia, Asia Filosa, Gasparri Clara, Maria Cristina Monti, Mariangela Rondanelli, Claudio Pacchetti, Francesco Errico, Enza Maria Valente, Alessandro Usiello
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive condition resulting in dopaminergic nigrostriatal neuronal death. Several evidence suggest that beyond dopaminergic system other neurotransmitters are involved in PD. In particular, molecular alterations occurring at ionotropic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) contribute to appearance of the disease features. Among neurotransmitters involved in glutamatergic system, D-serine (D-Ser) plays a crucial role acting as NMDARs co-agonist. A previous study carried out on preclinical models of PD, showed increased levels of D-Ser as well as of its metabolic precursor, L-serine (L-Ser) in the rostral putamen of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated monkeys. Interestingly, these data were consistent with a clinical study showing an increase in serine enantiomers in cerebrospinal fluid and caudate putamen of PD patients. Considering these evidence, we investigated serum levels of D- and L-Ser as well as other NMDAR-related amino acids in a cohort of 83 PD patients compared to 41 healthy controls (HC) through High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Moreover, we investigated the correlation between these amino acids, clinical-demographic features and levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD). Our results show a positive correlation of D-Ser and D-/Total Ser ratio with age in PD patients and age at onset. Furthermore, we found that antiparkinsonian treatment negatively affects the serum levels of D-Ser and other NMDAR-related excitatory amino acids in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, we observed a statistically significant increase of D-Ser in female PD patients compared to HC.Overall, these findings propose that serum D-serine and D-/Total serine may represent a potential biomarker of PD.