Thermoregulatory Dysfunction in Parkinson’s Disease: Mechanisms, Implications, and Therapeutic Perspectives

Zechariah S. Pressnell; Lee E. Neilson; Domenico Tupone; Ronald F. Pfeiffer; Delaram Safarpour

doi:10.3390/cells14231910

Back

Thermoregulatory Dysfunction in Parkinson’s Disease: Mechanisms, Implications, and Therapeutic Perspectives

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Thermoregulatory Dysfunction in Parkinson’s Disease: Mechanisms, Implications, and Therapeutic Perspectives

Zechariah S. Pressnell, Lee E. Neilson, Domenico Tupone, Ronald F. Pfeiffer and Delaram Safarpour

Cells (Basel, Switzerland), Vol.14(23), 1910

12/02/2025

DOI: 10.3390/cells14231910

PMCID: PMC12691499

PMID: 41369399

Files and links (1)

url

https://doi.org/10.3390/cells14231910View

Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Thermoregulatory dysfunction—temperature intolerance and/or inappropriate compensation—is an underrecognized feature of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and is linked to poor quality of life. Multiple mechanisms may underlie this dysfunction, including α-synuclein deposition in relevant structures, altered functional connectivity in thermoregulatory networks, and disrupted neurotransmitter modulation, on top of the deleterious consequences of aging. Although multiple advanced tests can confirm this dysfunction, diagnosis is largely based on a detailed history. Once this critical symptom is identified, management focuses on crisis prevention and safety, as PD-specific clinical trials are often lacking. This narrative review of the literature addresses mechanisms, clinical expression, diagnostic evaluation, and management of thermoregulatory dysfunction in PD to help guide care for this underappreciated, yet potentially debilitating, non-motor symptom of PD. Future PD-specific trials are needed to further clarify underlying mechanisms and improve treatment options.

Thermoregulation

autonomic dysfunction

heat intolerance

hyperhidrosis

hypohidrosis

Parkinsonism–hyperpyrexia syndrome

Parkinson’s disease

α-synuclein

Details

Title: Subtitle: Thermoregulatory Dysfunction in Parkinson’s Disease: Mechanisms, Implications, and Therapeutic Perspectives
Creators: Zechariah S. Pressnell - Washington University in St. Louis
Lee E. Neilson - University of Iowa
Domenico Tupone - University of Bologna
Ronald F. Pfeiffer - Oregon Health & Science University
Delaram Safarpour - Oregon Health & Science University
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Cells (Basel, Switzerland), Vol.14(23), 1910
DOI: 10.3390/cells14231910
PMID: 41369399
PMCID: PMC12691499
NLM abbreviation: Cells
ISSN: 2073-4409
eISSN: 2073-4409
Publisher: MDPI
Grant note: VA CSRD IK2 CX00253 (LEN)Veterans Affairs Northwest Parkinson's Disease Research, Education, and Clinical Care Center (PADRECC)
This research was supported by the Veterans Affairs Northwest Parkinson's Disease Research, Education, and Clinical Care Center (PADRECC) and by VA CSRD IK2 CX00253 (LEN).
Language: English
Date published: 12/02/2025
Academic Unit: Neurology
Record Identifier: 9985091804902771

Metrics

4 Record Views