by Dr. Aron Emmi, University of Padova
When: July 10, 2025, at 3:00 pm
Where: Sala Seminari VIMM (Fondazione per la Ricerca Biomedica Avanzata Onlus, Via Orus 2, Padova)
Abstract: Parkinson disease (PD) is the fastest growing neurological disorder globally and poses substantial management challenges owing to disgnostic difficulty, progressive disability, and the emergence of treatment-resistant symptoms and complications. While traditionally characterized as a motor disorder of the central nervous system (CNS), more and more evidence suggests that PD arises early in the periphery, and eventually reaches the CNS in its later stages, where clinically-recognized symptoms manifest. In this context, elucidating the role of the peripheral nervous system, and the involvement of the other organs in PD, not only helps us to understand the origin of the disease, but may also represent a valuable source for early diagnostic biomarkers.
This seminar will discuss the current issues in the field of Parkinson’s Disease research, and highlight the results of our recent studies on the peripheral nervous system in PD, challenging the view of neurodegeneration as a CNS-exclusive phenomenon. Moreover, in light of emerging disease-modifying treatments, i will discuss the relevance of biological phenotyping in future clinical trials and in personalized medicine.