Abstract
The functional anatomy of the reticular formation (RF) encompasses a constellation of brain regions which are reciprocally connected to sub-serve a variety of functions. Recent evidence indicates that neuronal degeneration within one of these regions spreads synaptically along brainstem circuitries. This is exemplified by the recruitment of various brainstem reticular nuclei in specific Parkinson’s disease (PD) phenotypes, and by retrospective analysis of lethargic post-encephalitic parkinsonism. In fact, the spreading to various monoamine reticular nuclei can be associated with occurrence of specific motor and non-motor symptoms (NMS). This led to re-consider PD as a brainstem monoamine disorder (BMD). This definition surpasses the anatomy of meso-striatal motor control to include a variety of non-motor domains. This concept clearly emerges from the quite specific clinical-anatomical correlation which can be drawn in specific paradigms of PD genotypes. Therefore, this review article focuses on the genetics and neuroanatomy of three PD genotypes/phenotypes which can be selected as prototype paradigms for a differential recruitment of the RF leading to differential occurrence of NMS: (i) Parkin-PD, where NMS are rarely reported; (ii) LRRK2-PD and slight SNC point mutations, where the prevalence of NMS resembles idiopathic PD; (iii) Severe SNCA point mutations and multiplications, where NMS are highly represented.
Introduction
In the process of re-defining Parkinson’s disease (PD) a task force is working on various symptoms which, despite being unrelated to the extra-pyramidal motor system, are now considered as fundamental features of PD (Poewe, ; Fornai and Ruggieri, ; Marras and Chaudhuri, ; Wei et al., ). Although most cardinal symptoms of PD involve the extra-pyramidal motor system, an in depth knowledge of PD patients led to describe a variety of non-motor alterations as well as pyramidal motor dysfunctions which are presently under intense scrutiny (Li et al., ; Fornai and Ruggieri, ; Fornai et al., ; Natale et al., ; Xu et al., ; Zou et al., ). In fact, the occurrence of these symptoms may be helpful to discern between various PD genotypes/phenotypes, while it provides new vistas on the variety of brainstem reticular nuclei, which may or may not, be recruited during the disease course (Chao et al., ). Despite being missed out for a long time or being considered as an unexpected complication of a pure extra-pyramidal motor disorder, non-motor symptoms (NMS) are now a fundamental feature of PD. At the same time NMS provides an unusual perspective to elucidate the anatomical network sub-serving a brainstem monoamine disorder (BMD) which is the anatomical core of PD. In PD, NMS are often present during the disease course (Chaudhuri et al., ; Li et al., ; Bonnet et al., ; Chege and McColl, ; Bastide et al., ; Gao et al., ). In fact, brain areas, which control extra-pyramidal motor systems concomitantly, affect other neurological and psychiatric domains. This is evident when examining several reticular brainstem nuclei, whose functions affect both extra-pyramidal motor circuitries and a variety of non-motor domains during the neuropathology of sporadic PD (S-PD; Fornai and Ruggieri, ). Within these sub-cortical regions a variety of activities beyond extra-pyramidal motor control take place, which explains why non-motor alterations should be expected to occur rather than being unusual in most PD patients. In a recent article, we emphasized such a concept focusing on the involvement of a number of brainstem monoamine nuclei (Fornai and Ruggieri, ). In this analysis, we proposed the definition of BMD as more balanced to define the neuroanatomy of PD. In fact, a constellation of nuclei belonging to the brainstem reticular formation (BRF), are affected at various disease/stage severity. There is an appreciable site-specificity, which connects neuroanatomy with the onset of NMS and this works as a general model to build a clinical anatomical correlation within various PD syndromes. Within this context, progress in neurogenetics provided a powerful tool to improve PD nosography since specific gene/protein alterations connect quite specifically with clusters of both motor and NMS, which in turn, are related to a damage in quite selective brain areas. This configures PD as a spectrum of brainstem disorders which ranges between the occurrence of solely extra-pyramidal motor symptoms, up to the coexistence of pyramidal, extra-pyramidal symptoms along with NMS. Remarkably, a deep insight in the genetics of PD, along with the progressive awareness of NMS in PD, provided two key elements, which fostered the need to re-define PD itself. This is listed in the form of three paradigms shown in Figure 1 as PD due to mutations in three different loci (Parkin; LRRK2; SNCA). Similarly, Figure 2 shows the anatomy of the BRF and highlights those reticular nuclei which are often recruited in each paradigm of PD (Parkin; LRRK2; SNCA). When combining Figures 1, 2, one may get a general correlation between PD genotype, the occurrence of specific NMS, and the recruitment of specific brainstem reticular nuclei. For instance, Parkin disease represents an almost pure extra-pyramidal motor disorder. This is well described by Doherty et al. () showing the paucity of symptoms (Figure 1) and affected brain areas (Figure 2), limited to the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) dorsal tier, locus coeruleus (LC) and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. Conversely, the specific point mutation p.G51D in the SNCA gene (Lesage et al., ) or multiplications of SNCA gene itself leads to a plethora of non-motor alterations (Figure 1). In this latter SNCA-dependent syndrome, motor alterations surpass the extra-pyramidal circuitry featuring also a pyramidal disorder with fatal prognosis (Mutez et al., ; Chen et al., ; Kiely et al., ). The p.G51D mutation additionally shifts the disease towards multiple system atrophy (MSA). The great amount of NMS shown in Figure 1 is consistent with massive recruitment of brainstem nuclei shown in Figure 2. Roughly, in the middle of these extremes we describe most LRRK2-associated PD, which features extra-pyramidal motor symptoms along with some NMS (Zimprich et al., 2004). This resembles most SNCA point mutations but p.G51D, as well as S-PD patients (Figure 1).
Figure 1
Figure 2

The chemical neuroanatomy of the brainstem reticular formation (BRF) and its involvement in specific PD paradigms. This cartoon offers a schematic description of those brainstem areas properly belonging to the reticular formation (RF), which may be the key in PD pathology, as well as their selective recruitment in the three PD paradigms taken into account. In the upper part is shown the constellation of the RF nuclei following a neurotransmitter chemical classification. The isodendritic morphology of the neurons composing the RF nuclei, configures them as crucial stations of both afferent and efferent projections descending and projecting up to the cortex and spinal cord (SC). This network of overlapping connections is involved in a plenty of either extrapyramidal motor and non-motor functions. The major monoamine containing areas, mainly localized in the lateral RF except from C3, are the noradrenergic (A1–A7) adrenergic (C1–C3) dopaminergic (A8–A10) and cholinergic (Ch5–Ch6) nuclei. These are crucial for respiratory activity and for regulating blood pressure and heart rate, micturition, sweat, sleep-wakink cycle as well as descending motor control. Serotonergic nuclei are found in the median RF raphe nuclei, mainly in the B3, B8 and B9 areas. They control vegetative functions such as mood, sleep and sexual behavior, depression and pain. The medial RF, found between the median and the lateral column, is a region lacking monoamine nuclei, but whose giganto-cellular and paramedianpontine nuclei act as a station for fibers connecting with monoamine regions such as A6 (LC) and Ch6. They are involved in voluntary movement regulation, as well as in optical, acoustic and olfactory control due to their connections respectively, to the spinal cord and to the main cranial nerves’ nuclei. In the second part of the figure, it is shown how a progressive and selective anatomic recruitment of such nuclei may be phenotypically and genotypically related to specific PD subtypes. (A) Parkin PD—Impairment of ventral SNpc (A9), mild impairment of LC (A6) leading to solely motor symptoms. A minimal alteration of the dorsal raphe nucleus (B8–9) may lead to apathia or anhedonia. DMV is affected as well, which may lead to a partial impairment of the overlapping C2/A2 area controlling the parasympathetic outflow. (B)LRRK2 and slighter SNCA point mutations—Featuring the typical PD motor symptoms, along with the presence of sleep disorders, depression and dementia which are here related with a more extended involvement of monoamine nuclei of the lateral RF as well as of the median raphe nuclei. (C) Severe SNCA point mutations and large gene rearrangements—They present as a predominance of non-motor autonomic, psychotic and cognitive symptoms relying on the massive involvement of rostral and caudal areas of the RF extending above and beyond the brainstem.
The Case of Parkin Disease
The Parkin gene (OMIM 602544), codes for a protein called Parkin, a E3 ubiquitin-ligase, which tags altered proteins by ubiquitin chains (Hristova et al., 2009; Yoshii et al.,
LRRK2 Mutations
Mutations of the LRRK2 gene (leucine-rich repeat kinase 2, OMIM 609007) is considered the most common genetic cause of late-onset, autosomal-dominant (AD) familial PD (PARK8; Paisán-Ruíz et al.,
Several LRRK2 mutations have been reported so far. These genotypes differently affect the amount of catecholamine nuclei of the BRF, and produce various NMS patterns (Vitte et al.,
In fact, clinical data support that in LRKK2 patients the prevalence of NMS is similar to idiopatic PD (i-PD; Estanga et al.,
Depression is quite common and can affect up to 40% of individuals with LRRK2 mutations (Chaudhuri et al.,
The occurrence of dementia in 17% of LRKK2 patients is lower than i-PD (Aarsland and Kurz,
Slight and Severe SNCA Point Mutations and Multiplications
The SNCA gene (alpha-synuclein, OMIM 163890) was the first gene to be associated with familial parkinsonism (Houlden and Singleton,
SNCA Multiplications
Triplication carriers have disease onset about 10 years earlier and a more rapid disease course than duplication carriers, who overall closely resemble i-PD patients, while higher clinical variability has been reported for different point mutations (Miller et al.,
SNCA Duplication
SNCA duplications lead to various NMS (dysautonomia, RBD, hallucinations, depression; Konno et al.,
SNCA Point Mutations
High clinical variability has been reported in SNCA point mutations, where NMS are less frequent if compared with SNCA multiplications, and dementia is also less frequent when compared with i-PD patients (Aarsland et al.,
Remarkably, the point mutation p.G51D leads to a rapidly evolving syndrome. In this case, despite no gene multiplication occurs, there is a widespread neuropathology that, similarly to patients carrying four SNCA copies, leads to the involvement of the pyramidal tract. Even in this case, the cortico-spinal degeneration is the main cause of death with a clinical course and neuropathology which surpasses PD and features MSA, where a plethora of NMS and massive areas in the brainstem are affected to extend rostrally to the prosencephalon and caudally to the spinal cord (Lesage et al.,
Conclusions
The occurrence of both motor NMS in most cases of PD is now well established. This is related to the engagement of a constellation of brain areas mostly located in the core of the BRF. The severity and variety of motor symptoms and mostly the various occurrence of NMS produce different PD syndromes, which appear more and more as a variety of diseases. This is substantiated by the number of genetic alterations, which may produce PD, and it is confirmed by the variety brain nuclei which may be involved. The present manuscript suggests a clinical anatomical correlation based on different genetic alterations which produce PD. These genetic conditions were used as paradigms for a clear-cut separation of different PD syndromes. The various involvement of brainstem reticular nuclei in these three paradigms was discussed.
Evidence was provided that the onset of an almost pure extrapyramidal syndrome due to a Parkin mutation was related to a quite unusual pathology mostly confined to the ventral tier of the SNpc. On the other hand, the multiplications of the SNCA genes and the p.G51D SNCA point mutation were related to the most severe phenotype in which a plethora of NMS (psychotic and mood disorder, sleep disorder, cognitive alterations, autonomic dysfunctions) were associated with a massive involvement of several nuclei of the BRF. Remarkably the most severe condition (point mutation p.G51D is definitely considered as MSA rather than PD). In the middle of these paradigms, we described the clinical anatomical correlation in the case of most LRRK2 mutation and SNCA point mutation, which resembles S-PD. An interesting correlation was evident between specific NMS and specific brainstem reticular nuclei. This is quite remarkable for anxiety, mood and sleep disorders which associate with serotonergic neurons and lateral reticular noradrenergic nuclei. Similarly, the occurrence of autonomic dysfunctions witnesses for the involvement of the bulbar noradrenergic and adrenergic areas (A1/A2 and C1/C2, respectively). The impairment of oculo-motor activities suggests the impairment in the paramedianpontine RF, while the presence of DA-dependent psychotic symptoms relates with the involvement of the mesencephalic VTA of the RF which projects to limbic and iso-cortical regions. In the most severe phenotypes, the disease surpasses the definition of BMD and configures as a MSA where the early involvement of the brainstem is expected to spread quickly to distant brain regions also including the motor cortex and spinal cord. The spreading of symptoms in the disease course is likely to rely on the prion-like properties of key proteins such as alpha-synuclein. The variety of brain areas is not totally unexpected in the light of the remarkable branching and collateralization of the iso-dendritic neurons forming the core of the BRF which represents a powerful stream to drive physiological and altered synaptic activity.
Statements
Author contributions
SG: coordination and writing the review. RF: pubmed research and state of the art about genetic of parkin. FB: pubmed research and state of the art about genetic of LRRK2. CLB: pubmed research and state of the art about genetic of SNCA. RC: participated in critically revising the article. AMPG: participated in drafting the article. FL: pubmed research and state of the art about genetic of SNCA duplication and triplication. GN: participated in critically revising the article for important intellectual content. MS: participated in drafting the article. FF: coordinating and writing the article. Participated in drafting the article. Participated in critically revising the article for important intellectual content.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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Summary
Keywords
Parkinson’s disease, non-motor symptoms, pyramidal syndrome, genetic Parkinsonism, genotype-phenotype correlation
Citation
Gambardella S, Ferese R, Biagioni F, Busceti CL, Campopiano R, Griguoli AMP, Limanaqi F, Novelli G, Storto M and Fornai F (2017) The Monoamine Brainstem Reticular Formation as a Paradigm for Re-Defining Various Phenotypes of Parkinson’s Disease Owing Genetic and Anatomical Specificity. Front. Cell. Neurosci. 11:102. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00102
Received
16 December 2016
Accepted
27 March 2017
Published
18 April 2017
Volume
11 - 2017
Edited by
Pier Giorgio Mastroberardino, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands
Reviewed by
Gonzalo Alvarez-Bolado, Heidelberg University, Germany; Dennis Qing Wang, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, China
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Copyright
© 2017 Gambardella, Ferese, Biagioni, Busceti, Campopiano, Griguoli, Limanaqi, Novelli, Storto and Fornai.
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Stefano Gambardella stefano.gambardella@neuromed.it
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