Scientists at the University of Sydney have made a major discovery that could change the way Parkinson’s disease is treated.
They have found a new brain protein linked to the disease, and in early tests, they were able to improve symptoms in mice by targeting this faulty protein. The research gives new hope for developing future treatments that might slow or even stop the progression of Parkinson’s.
Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurological disorder after dementia. In Australia alone, more than 150,000 people live with the condition. It affects the brain cells that make dopamine—a chemical that helps control movement.
As these cells die off, people begin to experience symptoms like tremors, muscle stiffness, slow movement, and poor balance. There is currently no cure, and existing treatments only help manage symptoms.
The research was led by Professor Kay Double from the Brain and Mind Centre. Her team has been studying Parkinson’s disease for more than 10 years. In 2017, they discovered that a normally helpful brain protein called SOD1 becomes faulty in people with Parkinson’s. Instead of protecting brain cells, this damaged protein clumps together and harms them.
Now, in a new study published in Acta Neuropathologica Communications, the same team has gone a step further. They tested a special copper-based treatment in mice that were bred to develop Parkinson-like symptoms.
Half of the mice were given the copper treatment, while the other half got a placebo. After three months, the mice that received the copper had much better motor skills, while the untreated mice got worse.
“All the mice we treated saw a dramatic improvement in their motor skills,” said Professor Double. “We were astonished by the success of the treatment.”
Copper plays a key role in helping proteins like SOD1 work properly. In Parkinson’s, the SOD1 protein may lose its ability to bind copper, which could be part of what causes it to malfunction. By restoring the copper balance, the treatment seemed to stop the harmful effects of the protein.
This research could open the door to a new type of Parkinson’s therapy. If the results in mice can be repeated in humans, the treatment may be able to slow the disease’s progression and help people maintain better control of their movement for longer.
Parkinson’s is a complex disease, and researchers believe many different factors contribute to its development. Professor Double says that tackling just one problem may not be enough, but combining treatments could lead to big improvements. “Just like with HIV, Parkinson’s might need more than one type of therapy,” she explained.
The next step for the team is to figure out the best way to target the faulty SOD1 protein in human clinical trials. If successful, this could lead to an entirely new approach to treating Parkinson’s.
This promising discovery shows how deep scientific research can lead to real hope for people affected by this challenging 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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