Objective: To compare between clinical findings and quantitative sensory testing (QST) data in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) positive and negative for mutations in LRKK2.

Background: Mutations in LRRK2 is one of the most frequent causes of PD in Ashkenazi Jews. Affected patients exhibit slightly different motor and non-motor symptoms than patients with non-genetic PD. A genetic component underlies the generation and transmission of PD-related pain, one of the most common and disturbing non-motor symptoms of the disease. However, the mechanisms responsible for pain generation and transmission in LRRK2 carriers are not completely understood.

Methods: Twenty eight patients with PD who tested positive or negative for LRKK2 mutations formed the study cohort. Disease and pain severity were assessed using the Unified PD Rating Scale and the short McGill test. All patients underwent QST for heat and pain sensation in the more and less affected hands.

Results: The mean age and motor UPDRS score for LRKK2 carriers (n= 12) was 65.1±10.1 years and 19±12.44 respectively. The mean age and motor UPDRS score of non carriers (n= 16) was 66.8±7.3 years and 25.2±9.91. The groups did not differ significantly in age, disease duration and UDDRS motor score( p=06; p=0.1and p=0.19). The mean McGill test result was 8.3±14 for LRKK2 carriers. None of the non-carriers experienced pain in the week prior the study. There was no significant difference in heat or cold sensory levels between carriers and non-carriers of LRRK2 in the more or less affected hand. The difference in heat pain threshold between patients who were positive and negative for LRRK2 mutations reached trend-level significance (44.1±4.82 vs 40.6±4.5˚C, p=0.058).

Conclusions: Heat pain perception is different between patients with LRRK2 mutations and non- carrier patients. This might implicate a genetic role for pain processing in idiopathic PD.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/comparison-of-thermal-sensation-and-pain-thresholds-in-lrrk2-carriers-and-non-carriers-with-parkinsons-disease/