Somatosensory processing in asymptomatic PINK1- and PARKIN-mutation carriers

Introduction: Sensory symptoms are not uncommon in Parkinson's disease (PD). It is unclear whether these symptoms are primary or secondary due to pathophysiological changes occurring in PD. Mutations in the PINK1 (PARK6) and PARKIN gene have been identified as one cause of recessively inherited PD with early onset. Asymptomatic carriers of PINK1 and PARKIN mutations represent individuals at risk who may develop PD later in life and can be identified by molecular genetic testing. Therefore, they may serve as a model to detect sensory abnormalities before subjects show pronounced clinical signs of PD. This might s…