Parkinson’s Disease is a serious illness that affects millions of people around the world. It happens when certain brain cells, especially those that control movement, slowly break down and die.
This leads to problems like shaky hands, stiff muscles, slow movement, trouble with balance, and even changes in thinking and memory. Some people with Parkinson’s can develop dementia later on, which makes daily life very difficult. After Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s is the second most common brain disease related to aging.
Scientists have been trying to understand what causes Parkinson’s Disease for many years, but it has been a big challenge. Without knowing the root cause, creating treatments that really work has been difficult. However, a group of researchers from the University of Copenhagen has recently made an important discovery that could change the way we fight this disease.
The team, led by Professor Shohreh Issazadeh-Navikas, found that a key problem in Parkinson’s Disease happens in the mitochondria. Mitochondria are tiny parts inside our cells that produce energy — they are often called the “power plants” of the cell. Every cell needs energy to stay alive and do its job, especially brain cells, which use a lot of energy.
In people with Parkinson’s, the researchers discovered that the system that normally clears away damaged mitochondria is not working properly.
When these damaged mitochondria are not removed, they stop making enough energy for the cells. Worse, broken mitochondria can also cause toxic proteins to build up inside cells. Over time, this leads to the death of important brain cells that control movement and thinking.
One surprising finding from the study was that genes normally involved in fighting viruses — called immune genes — also help regulate mitochondria in nerve cells. If something goes wrong with these immune genes, the mitochondria don’t work as well, and brain cells start to suffer.
This shows that our body’s energy production and immune system are more connected than scientists used to think.
The study also found a link between Parkinson’s Disease and the body’s response to infections, like COVID-19. The researchers discovered that mutations in certain genes related to the mitochondria could make the effects of COVID-19 worse.
This suggests that people with these mutations might have a harder time fighting off infections, and their nerve cells might be at higher risk for damage during illnesses.
Another important part of the discovery involved a protein called PIAS2. The researchers found higher levels of this protein in the brains of people with Parkinson’s compared to those without the disease.
This could mean that PIAS2 might be used as a marker to help diagnose Parkinson’s earlier or track how the disease is progressing. It could also become a target for new treatments.
The team’s findings, published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, are exciting because they suggest that fixing this mitochondrial pathway might slow down or even stop Parkinson’s Disease.
If doctors can develop treatments that help cells clear away damaged mitochondria or protect them from breaking down, it could prevent brain cell death and possibly even stop dementia from developing.
This research shows just how delicate the balance is inside our bodies. The same systems that make energy for our cells also help protect us from infections. When one part of the system fails, it can lead to serious diseases like Parkinson’s.
While there is still a lot more work to be done, this new study brings real hope. Understanding the deep connections between the immune system, mitochondria, and brain health may eventually lead to better treatments — and one day, maybe even a cure — for people living with Parkinson’s Disease.
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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