Lysosomal hydrolases in cerebrospinal fluid from subjects with Parkinson's disease

Recent studies have shown a genetic association between glucocerebrosidase deficiencies and Parkinson's disease (PD). To further explore this issue the activity of β‐glucocerebrosidase and the activities of other lysosomal enzymes, α‐mannosidase, β‐mannosidase, β‐hexosaminidase, and β‐galactosidase have been evaluated in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of PD patients. The activities of α‐mannosidase, β‐mannosidase, β‐glucocerebrosidase, and β‐hexosaminidase were substantially decreased in the CSF of PD patients, while levels of β‐galactosidase were essentially identical to controls. This study indicates that in PD several lysosomal hydrolases have decreased activities, further supporting a possible link between pathophysiological mechanisms underlying PD and lysosomal hydrolases. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society