Annals of clinical and translational neurology
Parkinson Disease Subtype Stability and Eventual Convergence
By Rosok LM, Lessov-Schlaggar CN, Eid AM and 8 others.
Abstract
Objective
Previous research identified distinct Parkinson disease (PD) clinical subtypes of "Motor Only," "Psychiatric & Motor," and "Cognitive & Motor" based on comprehensive, multidomain classification. Whether these subtypes reflect distinct trajectories or progressive disease stages remains unknown. This study aimed to determine the longitudinal stability of PD subtype membership.
Methods
This study included 250 PD participants with baseline subtype classifications and behavioral evaluations at two timepoints (average interval = 2.51 years), including motor, cognitive, and psychiatric assessments. Latent transition analyses tested the stability of PD subtype membership over time, and logistic regression models examined baseline factors associated with subtype transitions. Available brain autopsy data from 67 participants strengthened analyses by allowing the exclusion of 9 participants with non-PD neuropathologic diagnoses (e.g., Multiple System Atrophy, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy).