Ghrelin as a biomarker of non-motor symptoms and sleep disorders at Parkinson's disease

ABSTRACT. Among the movement disorders characterized by Parkinson's disease, an equally important component is non-motor symptoms. To date, the neurophysiological basis of development and potential biomarkers of the disease remain insufficiently studied. The purpose of our study is to analyze the possibility of using the level of ghrelin in blood plasma as a biomarker of non-motor symptoms and sleep disturbances in Parkinson's disease depending on circadian rhythms. We examined 64 patients with Parkinson's disease registered at the Center for Parkinson's Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Nervous Diseases, Poltava State Medical University, and 30 patients without signs of neurodegenerative disease. The diagnosis was established according to the criteria of the World Brain Bank of Great Britain. Non-motor manifestations were studied according to the results of the non-motor symptom assessment scale, the severity of sleep disorders was assessed according to the sleep scale at Parkinson's disease. Results. In the course of the study, a decrease in the level of ghrelin in the blood plasma and the connection of the ghrelin content with sleep and digestive system disorders in patients with Parkinson's disease were established. patients, which is consistent with other studies. Ghrelin stimulates motility and emptying of the stomach, as well as motility of the small and large intestines. This indicates the probable role of ghrelin in the pathophysiology of diseases of the digestive system at Parkinson's disease. Conclusions. The level of plasma ghrelin in patients with Parkinson's disease and its diurnal fluctuations can be considered as a potential biomarker of non-motor symptoms and their fluctuations due to its links with sleep disorders and circadian rhythm.