Das Parkinson-Syndrom als Modellerkrankung verschiedener Obstipationsformen

Constipation is a common problem in patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease. In Parkinson’s disease, the degenerative process may include both the nucleus of the vagal nerve in the brainstem and Onuf’s nucleus in the sacral spinal cord. Reduced vagal tone may inhibit gastrointestinal motility up to the left colonic flexure. Degeneration of the sacral parasympathetic neurons may reduce motility of the remaining segment of colon and sigmoid. In addition, degeneration of the myenteric and submucosal plexus may lead to intestinal atony. Disease-related immobility as well as the administration of anti-Parkinsonian medication contribute to constipation. The extrapyramidal disorder of anismus is another cause of outlet constipation. As all modes of dysfunction are also observed in non-Parkinsonian patients. Parkinson’s disease can be regarded a model disease for various types of constipation. The study of constipation in Parkinsonian patients is therefore highly suitable to evaluate novel diagnostic or therapeutic strategies.