Although there are a number of hypotheses to explain the etiopathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), the one of oxidant stress has gained major interest. Aiming to know the possible disease pathogenesis in different age groups, we compared early onset PD (EOPD) with late onset PD (LOPD) from clinical and biochemical (free radical and antioxidant markers) aspects. It was found that EOPD patients have different pattern of clinical features, response to treatment, and complications of treatment than LOPD patients. Also, there was significant (p<0.05) higher levels of oxidant stress markers (nitrite/nitrate and malondialdhyde MDA) and lower antioxidant levels (reduced glutathion GSH, superoxide dismutase SOD, Vit E, and catalse) in blood and CSF of PD patients compared to control. Malondialdhyde was significantly higher in older age patients (≥60 years), while nitrite/nitrate level is non significantly higher in older patients. Antioxidant levels (GSH, SOD, Vit. E, and catalse) were significantly lower (p<0.05) in older patients. In conclusion, oxidative stress can be considered as an aetiopathogenic factor of PD and playing more important rule in later onset PD patients.
(Egypt J. Neurol. Psychiat. Neurosurg., 2004, 41(2): 569-580).