Scientists from the University of Copenhagen have made a significant discovery about Parkinson’s disease (PD), a condition that affects 7 to 10 million people globally.
It’s a common aging-related disorder that impacts movement, but until now, its cause was largely unknown.
Cells, like people, consume what they need and dispose of waste. But in the case of Parkinson’s, there’s a critical problem in the brain cells.
A specific blockage in cell signaling means the cell’s powerhouse, the mitochondria, can’t be cleaned up after damage. It’s similar to a kitchen where the trash keeps piling up – eventually, it affects the whole room.
This blockage leads to a buildup of damaged mitochondria, and the cells can’t make enough energy. As a result, neurons die slowly, leading to the symptoms of Parkinson’s and eventually dementia.
Interestingly, this blockage is caused by a problem with the immune genes. These genes are usually important for fighting viruses, but they also play a key role in managing the energy of nerve cells.
This is crucial because these pathways are involved in brain functions and in recognizing microbes and viruses, like fighting COVID-19. In fact, a mutation in a related gene can lead to severe outcomes from COVID-19.
The researchers conducted an in-depth study, analyzing data from neurons in brains affected by Parkinson’s. They looked at which genes were disrupted in patients, especially those who also developed dementia alongside PD.
They found that the buildup of damaged mitochondria leads to an increase in other toxic proteins. When comparing Parkinson’s patients to healthy individuals of the same age, they noticed a high expression of a protein called PIAS2 in the neurons of those with Parkinson’s.
This discovery suggests that targeting this pathway could be a new approach in treating Parkinson’s and possibly preventing the progression to dementia.
The team believes that further research to counteract this pathway blockage could have a positive impact on managing the disease.
This groundbreaking study, led by Professor Shohreh Issazadeh-Navikas and colleagues, was published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry.
It opens new avenues for understanding and potentially treating Parkinson’s Disease, especially in its relation to aging and brain function.
If you care about Parkinson’s disease, please read studies about Vitamin E that may help prevent Parkinson’s disease, and Vitamin D could benefit people with Parkinson’s disease.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about new way to treat Parkinson’s disease, and results showing COVID-19 may be linked to Parkinson’s disease.
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