Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a common brain disorder that affects movement and is most often linked with aging. It’s the second most common age-related brain disease, affecting millions worldwide.
Despite how common it is, scientists still don’t know exactly what causes Parkinson’s. But researchers from the University of Copenhagen have recently uncovered a major clue: a specific “blockage” in brain cells that stops them from properly managing their energy.
What is Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s Disease leads to a slow breakdown of brain cells, called neurons, which results in movement problems, and, in some cases, dementia. Neurons are responsible for sending signals in the brain and keeping the brain healthy by clearing away damaged materials.
Like other cells in the body, neurons need energy to work, which they get from tiny structures inside them called mitochondria.
In Parkinson’s patients, a blockage in a cellular pathway prevents the brain from clearing out damaged mitochondria. This leads to a buildup of malfunctioning mitochondria, which means less energy for brain cells and eventually, cell death.
A Surprising Role for Immune Genes
The research team found that immune genes are involved in this blockage. Normally, these genes help fight off viruses, but they discovered that immune genes also help regulate the energy supply in brain cells.
When these genes are not working correctly, they block the pathway that clears out damaged mitochondria, leading to an energy shortage in the brain. This energy shortage creates toxic proteins, which gradually kill neurons, bringing on the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.
Why Pathways Matter in Parkinson’s Disease
The pathways affected by these immune genes are not only important for brain health but are also involved in recognizing viruses, like the COVID-19 virus.
In fact, scientists have linked a mutation in a similar immune gene to severe COVID-19 outcomes. This connection highlights how essential these pathways are, not only in brain diseases but also in fighting off infections.
Key Findings in Neuron Gene Patterns
To learn more about these problems in Parkinson’s, researchers examined data on gene expression (how genes are “turned on” or “off”) in neurons from people with Parkinson’s. They compared patterns in people with PD to those with PD and dementia.
They found that damaged mitochondria build up in neurons, increasing the production of harmful proteins. They also identified a specific protein, called PIAS2, that was much more active in people with Parkinson’s than in those of the same age without the disease.
Future Treatments and New Research Avenues
This discovery of the pathway blockage opens new doors for treatment research. The researchers believe that targeting this pathway could help slow or stop the progression of Parkinson’s, possibly even preventing dementia in people with the disease.
They also hope to explore whether this pathway plays a role in other inherited forms of Parkinson’s.
Led by Professor Shohreh Issazadeh-Navikas, this study provides new insights into how Parkinson’s develops. By understanding how immune genes and mitochondrial energy work together in the brain, scientists now have new treatment targets.
These findings could help not only with Parkinson’s but may also shed light on other neurological diseases that involve energy supply and immune response.
This research, published in Molecular Psychiatry, brings us closer to new approaches that could help prevent dementia in Parkinson’s patients and slow down the progression of this challenging disease.
If you care about Alzheimer’s, please read studies about Vitamin D deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, and Oral cannabis extract may help reduce Alzheimer’s symptoms.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about Vitamin B9 deficiency linked to higher dementia risk, and results showing flavonoid-rich foods could improve survival in Parkinson’s disease.
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