Recently, clinical and scientific attention has shifted to additional nonmotor symptoms that have been previously unheeded. Of these, those related to delayed gastric emptying are important occurring in about 10% of all patients with Parkinson’s Disease.

Parkinson’s gastroparesis manifests as dysphagia, nausea, heartburn, feeling of fullness, abdominal pain, bloating and vomiting. The resulting anorexia and weight loss contributes to physical, psychological and social distress with a negative impact on Quality of Life. Further prolonged gastric transit causes oral therapeutics like L-Dopa to be degraded before it’s absorption in the small intestine resulting in fluctuating blood levels and inconsistent symptom control.

Underlying causes for Parkinson’s gastroparesis are multifaceted and include disease related disturbances in the transmission of motor signals via the nerves supplying the stomach muscles which is exacerbated by the side effects of medication.

There are no satisfactory or approved treatments for Parkinson’s gastroparesis.

More than 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s Disease.