A groundbreaking study from the University of Copenhagen has uncovered a major clue behind the most common form of Parkinson’s Disease (PD), a brain condition that affects millions of people around the world.
This discovery not only helps explain why the disease develops but also opens new doors for better treatments—especially for patients who eventually develop dementia as part of their illness.
Parkinson’s Disease is known for causing tremors, stiffness, and slow movement. As it progresses, it can also affect memory and thinking. But until now, scientists have struggled to understand exactly what causes the disease to begin and why it gets worse over time.
The new study points to a key problem deep inside our brain cells: a blockage in how cells handle their energy supply.
Inside every cell in our body are tiny parts called mitochondria—often called the cell’s “powerhouses” because they produce energy the cell needs to function. These mitochondria sometimes get damaged, and when they do, healthy cells normally clear them out and replace them. But in Parkinson’s Disease, this cleaning process breaks down.
Researchers found that a blockage in a specific pathway stops brain cells from removing damaged mitochondria. As a result, these broken powerhouses build up, and the cells begin to run low on energy.
Over time, this energy loss leads to the death of neurons, the cells that control movement and brain function. This slow damage is what causes the symptoms of Parkinson’s, and it may also be the reason why some patients go on to develop dementia.
One of the most surprising findings in this study is what causes the blockage in the first place. It turns out that immune system genes—the same ones that help our body fight viruses—play a central role.
These genes are supposed to help protect the brain and support its energy needs, but in people with Parkinson’s Disease, they become dysregulated, or thrown off balance.
Even more fascinating, the same immune genes linked to Parkinson’s have also been found to affect the body’s response to COVID-19. In fact, mutations in these genes can lead to worse outcomes in severe cases of COVID, showing just how important these genes are for both immune defense and brain health.
To reach these conclusions, the researchers combined data from several studies and closely examined the gene activity in brain cells taken from people with Parkinson’s Disease.
They found that people who also developed dementia had more severe disruptions in certain gene patterns. One gene in particular stood out: PIAS2, a protein found in high amounts in the neurons of Parkinson’s patients. This protein could be a key piece of the puzzle and a potential target for future treatments.
The findings, published in Molecular Psychiatry, are an important leap forward. If scientists can find ways to unblock the damaged mitochondrial pathway, they may be able to slow or stop the progression of Parkinson’s Disease, and even prevent dementia from developing in some patients.
This research also encourages scientists to look at other forms of Parkinson’s Disease, including those passed down in families, to see if the same pathway is affected.
While there is still much to learn, this study brings new hope. By focusing on how energy is managed inside our brain cells—and how the immune system is involved—we may be on the verge of developing new treatments that can change the lives of millions living with Parkinson’s.
If you care about Parkinson’s disease, please read studies that Vitamin B may slow down cognitive decline, and Mediterranean diet could help lower risk of Parkinson’s.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies that blueberry supplements may prevent cognitive decline, and results showing Plant-based diets could protect cognitive health from air pollution.
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