Epidemiology and Pathophysiology of Parkinsonism in the Caribbeans

An atypical akineto-rigid parkinsonian syndrome, unresponsive to L-dopa has been evidenced in Guadeloupe. Abnormally frequent, this progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)-like syndrome represents a new clinical entity. Unlike in classical PSP 70% of patients have myoclonus, 59% hallucinations, 78% REM sleep behavior disorders. Oculomotor pattern differs from classical PSP suggesting that cortical dysfunction predominates over brainstem impairments. Neuropathological examination in four patients has shown a widespread accumulation of the tau protein in the basal ganglia, the midbrain and cortical areas.

This syndrome has been associated to the regular consumption of food products derived from plants of the Annonaceae family, more specifically Annona Muricata (soursop), suggesting a toxic origin. We have already confirmed the neurotoxic potential of the lipophilic mitochondrial complex I inhibitor annonacin, the major acetogenin in Annona muricata. This class of compounds is specific to Annonaceae. Nanomolar concentrations of annonacin induce the death of dopaminergic neurons in culture, by impairment of energy production. Chronic systemic intoxication of rats with annonacin causes neuronal damage in the same brain regions that are damaged in patients with atypical parkinsonism. These results greatly suggest that the consumption of annonacea might contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease. The H1 subhaplotype in tau gene associated with PSP in Caucasians did not confer risk for PSP-like atypical parkinsonism in Guadeloupe.