Evaluation of serum cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate levels in parkinson patients with and without postural instability

Abstract

Objective: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. During PD many disorders occur in the neuroendocrine mechanism along with autonomic dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the values of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) in idiopathic PD patients with postural instability (PI) in the medium and advanced stages of the disease.

Methods: Three groups were included in this study; patients with PI, patients without PI and control subjects. Each of the groups consisted of 30 patients. The fasting serum cortisol and DHEAS values of patients were obtained.

Results: Serum cortisol levels were significantly higher in patients with PI in the advanced stage of PD, whereas DHEAS levels were significantly higher in patients without PI in the early stage.

Conclusion: This situation was evaluated as the reflection of neuroendocrine response that occurred secondary to the progressive advancing neurodegeneration seen in PD patients. The data obtained may contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of PD that in intermediate and advanced stages. In addition, our findings may help in establishing new treatment options for PD patients in the future.