Scientists from the University of Copenhagen have made an exciting discovery about Parkinson’s disease.
Their new research shows that the most common form of Parkinson’s may be caused by a problem in how cells manage their energy. This finding could lead to new ways to treat or even prevent the disease in the future.
Parkinson’s disease affects 7 to 10 million people around the world. It is the second most common brain disease in older adults and the number one cause of movement problems. Even though it is so common, the cause of most cases has been a mystery—until now.
The researchers found that a normal cellular pathway that helps clean up damaged mitochondria becomes blocked. Mitochondria are tiny parts inside cells that produce energy.
When they are damaged, the cell is supposed to remove or repair them. But in people with Parkinson’s, this cleanup process doesn’t work properly. Damaged mitochondria pile up, and the cell cannot make enough energy. This is especially dangerous for nerve cells in the brain, which need lots of energy to work well.
The problem also involves certain immune genes. These genes usually help the body fight off infections like viruses and bacteria. But they also play a role in managing energy in brain cells. When this balance is lost, it can lead to the slow death of nerve cells, causing the symptoms of Parkinson’s and sometimes dementia.
Interestingly, the same immune pathway is involved in the body’s response to infections such as COVID-19. Some genetic mutations linked to this pathway are known to make COVID-19 more dangerous. This shows that these immune and energy systems in the body are closely connected and affect more diseases than we thought.
To understand what was happening, the scientists looked at data from four different studies. They focused on brain cells from people with Parkinson’s, especially those who also had memory problems. They found that the cells had strange patterns of gene activity and a buildup of broken mitochondria and harmful proteins.
One protein stood out: PIAS2. This protein was found in much higher amounts in the brains of people with Parkinson’s compared to healthy people. The researchers believe that PIAS2 could be an important piece of the puzzle. If scientists can find a way to block or fix this pathway, they may be able to slow down or stop the brain damage caused by Parkinson’s.
This discovery might also help explain inherited types of Parkinson’s and provide clues for preventing dementia in people with the disease.
The study was led by Professor Shohreh Issazadeh-Navikas and was published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry. Experts are calling it a major breakthrough because it explains how energy and immune problems in the brain can lead to nerve cell death.
This new understanding gives scientists new targets for creating treatments. It brings fresh hope to millions of people who are living with Parkinson’s and looking for better options.
If you care about Parkinson’s disease, please read studies These common drugs may increase risk of Parkinson’s disease and Researchers find an important cause of Parkinson’s disease.
For more about Parkinson’s disease, please read studies This type of exercise may help reverse Parkinson’s disease and Supplements for Parkinson’s: Can they work?
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