Geriatric Care · Jun 11, 2026
33 | Premature ovarian ageing as a potential risk factor for Parkinson’s disease
By SIGOT S
Introduction. Premature ovarian ageing (POA) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) share pathogenic mechanisms (inflammaging, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress). A 2022 Dutch study linked bilateral oophorectomy to higher PD risk [1]. We aimed to detect early extrapyramidal signs in POA women. Materials and Methods. In this prospective cohort study (Nov 2022-Jan 2025) 30 women with DOR (DOR group) and 30 controls (CNTRL group) were enrolled at AOU “Federico II” Fertility Center. Both groups underwent neurological examination and neurodegenerative screening: REM Behavior Disorder Screening Questionnaire (RBDSQ); Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) Motor Section; Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson’s Disease – Autonomic Dysfunction (SCOPA-AUT); Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Smell Identification Test (UPSIT). The SPSS software system was used for statistical analysis. Results. Statistical analysis showed MDS-UPDRS and RBDSQ higher mean values in the DOR group compared to the CNTRL group (UPDRS-DOR 4.47±5.99 vs CNTRL 0.87±1.33, p=0.002, Cohen’d = 0.83; RBDSQ-DOR 4.1±1.83 vs CNTRL 2.97±1.96, p<0.05). Based on these findings, a predictive score (PD Score) was established combining RBDSQ and UPDRS values; its distribution showed no overlap in 95% confidence intervals between the two cohorts. Regression analysis using AFC as the predictor and UPDRS as the dependent variable showed a moderate, statistically significant inverse relationship between the two variables (standardized coefficient Beta=-0.402). Conclusions. DOR women exhibit early extrapyramidal signs (REM behavior disorder, tremor, rigidity) supporting POA as PD risk factor. Future neuroimaging (MRI, DaT-SCAN) will refine PD score. [1] Rocca et al. Association of Premenopausal Bilateral Oophorectomy With Parkinsonism and Parkinson Disease. JAMA Netw Open. 2022 Oct 3;5(10):e2238663.