Increased serum levels of soluble tumor necrosis factor-α receptor-1 in patients with Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by a progressive and irreversible loss of dopaminergic neurons. inflammatory mechanisms have been implied in the pathophysiology of PD. In this study, we assessed serum levels of TNF-alpha and the soluble forms of their receptors, sTNFR1 and sTNFR2, in 46 PD patients and 23 control subjects. Patients with PD had higher levels of sTNFR1 (p = 0.048). The concentration of sTNFR1 and sTNFR2 correlated with age (p = 0.006 and p = 0.022, respectively). Higher levels of sTNFR1 were associated with later disease onset (p = 0.048). These results corroborate the role of inflammatory events in the process of neurodegeneration in PD which can be of special relevance in the sporadic form of PD with later onset. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.