IMMUNOLOGICAL AND NEUROSPECIFIC BIOMARKERS IN THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE AND VASCULAR PARKINSONISM

Abstract

The aim of our study was to investigate the features of systemic inflammatory response and central neurospecific damage in patients with Parkinson's disease and vascular parkinsonism to verify differential diagnostic criteria. A comprehensive clinical and laboratory examination of patients with degenerative and vasogenic forms of parkinsonism was performed. All patients underwent neurological testing using international scales. The immunological profile was assessed by serum levels of interleukin-6 and S100 protein using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Intestinal status and infectious trigger were verified by fecal calprotectin excretion and -urea breath test results. In Parkinson's disease, an extensive network of interrelations between interleukin-6, gastrointestinal factors, motor deficit, and non-motor burden was revealed, confirming the activity of the gut-brain axis. Serum hyperconcentration of S100 protein was recorded exclusively in the cohort of patients with Parkinson's disease at advanced stages of the process. In the vascular parkinsonism group, markers of systemic inflammation demonstrated pathogenetic autonomy from enteral triggers, with a complete absence of elevated S100 protein cases. Combined monitoring of interleukin-6 and S100 protein allows distinguishing between primary degenerative and secondary vasogenic forms of parkinsonism.