Can exposure to heat attenuate neurodegeneration in older adults with Parkinson's disease?

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurological disorder characterized by dysfunction with movement resulting in motor and nonmotor symptoms. Primary motor symptoms include tremors, bradykinesia, rigidity, and posture and balance abnormalities (Armstrong and Okun, 2020). Not all motor symptoms are noticeable upon disease onset; however, over time, symptoms associated with motor dysfunction become more prevalent and debilitating (Zhao et al., 2021). Nonmotor symptoms of PD, including autonomic dysfunction, sleep and mood disorders, fatigue, gastrointestinal symptoms, cognitive impairment, and sensory issues, can also impair health (Chaudhuri et al., 2011). Up to 90% of individuals with PD experience nonmotor symptoms through every stage of PD progression (Chaudhuri et al., 2011; Gökçal et al., 2017). The combined motor and nonmotor dysfunction typically decreases quality-of-life over time for individuals with PD (Zhao et al., 2021).