Getting down to the heart of the (gray) matter to treat Parkinson's disease
April 2, 2012 in Parkinson's & Movement disorders
An agent under consideration for use in PET imaging combats neuronal death to relieve Parkinsonian symptoms in animal models, according to a study published on April 2nd in the Journal of Experimental Medicine.
The movement-related symptoms of Parkinson's disease, including muscle rigidity and tremors, are caused by the loss of dopamine-secreting neurons in the brain. Current therapies aim at increasing and maintaining dopamine levels to correct these motor impairments. However, these approaches do not address the underlying neuronal death that initiated the disease.
David Finkelstein, Kevin Barnham, and colleagues at the University of Melbourne find that the PET imaging agent CuII(atsm) reverses the neurotoxicity that destroys dopamine-secreting neurons. Improvements in motor skills and memory were observed after treatment in four unique animal models of Parkinson's disease. The authors suggest this compound functions as a scavenger of peroxynitrite, whose accumulation is known to promote neuronal death.
These results point to a potential strategy to restore motor and cognitive function in Parkinson's disease patients by reviving neuronal function rather than solely masking symptoms.
More information: Hung, L.W., et al. 2012. J. Exp. Med. doi:10.1084/jem.20112285
Journal reference:
Journal of Experimental Medicine
Provided by
Rockefeller University
-
Research targets brain region affected by Parkinson's
Nov 08, 2011 |
not rated yet |
0
-
Exercise may lead to improvement in patients with Parkinson's
May 16, 2007 |
not rated yet |
0
-
New knowledge on the pharmacology of dopamine stabilizers
Feb 24, 2012 |
not rated yet |
0
-
Abnormal oscillation in the brain causes motor deficits in Parkinson's disease
Nov 01, 2011 |
not rated yet |
0
-
Insight into dopamine role suggests new treatment pathway for Parkinson's
Oct 18, 2006 |
not rated yet |
0
-
Motion perception revisited: High Phi effect challenges established motion perception assumptions
Apr 23, 2013 |
3 / 5 (2) |
2
-
Anything you can do I can do better: Neuromolecular foundations of the superiority illusion (Update)
Apr 02, 2013 |
4.5 / 5 (11) |
5
-
The visual system as economist: Neural resource allocation in visual adaptation
Mar 30, 2013 |
5 / 5 (2) |
9
-
Separate lives: Neuronal and organismal lifespans decoupled
Mar 27, 2013 |
4.9 / 5 (8) |
0
-
Sizing things up: The evolutionary neurobiology of scale invariance
Feb 28, 2013 |
4.8 / 5 (10) |
14
-
Calculating on-axis elements of a solenoid
9 hours ago
-
latitude & longitude & air pressure
10 hours ago
-
Differences of Classical Mechanics when learned with Calc vs algebra?
13 hours ago
-
what is the distance traveled
17 hours ago
-
Image of a Convex Lens Cut in Half Horizontally
21 hours ago
-
Ray tracing through optical system of thick lenses
21 hours ago
- More from Physics Forums - Classical Physics
More news stories
Diabetes drug tested in Parkinson's disease patients
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a degenerative neurological disorder marked by a progressive loss of motor control. Despite intensive research, there are currently no approved therapies that have been demonstrated to alter the ...
Parkinson's & Movement disorders
May 20, 2013 |
not rated yet |
0
Faulty energy production in brain cells leads to disorders ranging from Parkinson's to intellectual disability
Neuroscientist Patrik Verstreken of VIB (Flanders Institute for Biotechnology) and KU Leuven has shown for the first time that dysfunctional mitochondria in brain cells can lead to learning disabilities. The link between ...
Parkinson's & Movement disorders
May 17, 2013 |
4 / 5 (2) |
0
Unleashing the watchdog protein
McGill University researchers have unlocked a new door to developing drugs to slow the progression of Parkinson's disease. Collaborating teams led by Dr. Edward A. Fon at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital -The ...
Parkinson's & Movement disorders
May 09, 2013 |
5 / 5 (1) |
0
|
Could eating peppers prevent Parkinson's? Dietary nicotine may hold protective key
New research reveals that Solanaceae—a flowering plant family with some species producing foods that are edible sources of nicotine—may provide a protective effect against Parkinson's disease. The study appearing today ...
Parkinson's & Movement disorders
May 09, 2013 |
not rated yet |
0
Study reveals probable role of Parkinson's protein in healthy brain
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have exposed the possible function, in the healthy brain, of a mysterious molecule that has been strongly implicated in Parkinson's ...
Parkinson's & Movement disorders
May 01, 2013 |
5 / 5 (3) |
0
|
US teen birth rate drops to record low
US teen births have dropped to a record low, but the country still has one of the highest rates among developed nations, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday.
Slowing the aging process—only with antibiotics
Swiss scientists reveal the mechanism responsible for aging hidden deep within mitochondria—and dramatically slow it down in worms by administering antibiotics to the young.
Researchers complete largest genetic sequencing study of human disease
Researchers from Queen Mary, University of London have led the largest sequencing study of human disease to date, investigating the genetic basis of six autoimmune diseases.
Brain can be trained in compassion, study shows
Until now, little was scientifically known about the human potential to cultivate compassion—the emotional state of caring for people who are suffering in a way that motivates altruistic behavior.
Rate of bicycle-related fatalities significantly lower in states with helmet laws
Existing research shows that bicyclists who wear helmets have an 88 percent lower risk of brain injury, but researchers at Boston Children's Hospital found that simply having bicycle helmet laws in place showed a 20 percent ...
Having both migraines, depression may mean smaller brain
(HealthDay)—Migraines and depression can each cause a great deal of suffering, but new research indicates the combination of the two may be linked to something else entirely—a smaller brain.