Assessment of sensory perception and processing using current perception threshold in Parkinson's disease

Aim Although peripheral deafferentation is one of the causes of abnormal sensory processing in Parkinson's disease (PD), functional assessment of different-size sensory nerve populations remains insufficient. We assessed the characteristics of sensory perception and processing in PD patients using current perception threshold (CPT). Methods A total of 28 patients with PD, 20 with multiple system atrophy (MSA) and 28 healthy controls underwent CPT examination using a Neurometer device, which can selectively stimulate A-β fibers at 2000 Hz, A-δ fibers at 250 Hz and C fibers at 5 Hz. Results Significant differences in CPT for all stimulus frequencies were observed among the three groups. PD patients had significantly higher CPT for all stimulus frequencies than control individuals (P