title: Generalized mitochondrial dysfunction in Parkinson's disease detected by magnetic resonance spectroscopy of muscle.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore mitochondrial dysfunction in Parkinson's disease (PD) using 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy of resting muscle.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case-control study (28 PD patients and 28 normal controls) determining resting forearm inorganic phosphate/phosphocreatine (Pi/PCr) ratio.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant difference (p = 0.004, one-tailed test) in Pi/PCr ratio between PD patients (0.122) and controls (0.104). No correlation of Pi/PCr ratio with duration, severity, or speed of onset of disease. Positive correlation of Pi/PCr ratio with age in control group; reversed in PD group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Suggests small generalized mitochondrial defect in PD. The possibility that earlier onset of disease is associated with more severe mitochondrial dysfunction needs further study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Penn
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hodder
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D009132:Muscles / Q000378:metabolism*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000378:metabolism*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D010758:Phosphorus