Causes of Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's Disease is still very much baffling to physicians across the world. Although there is more knowledge on the condition, its causes and treatments today than ever before, there is still a lot to learn to uncover the truth behind Parkinson's. What is known is that Parkinson's occurs as a result of the death of certain brain cells which react to promote smooth and controlled muscle movement. Without these brain cells, and the chemical, Dopamine, which they produce, the patient is left with a lack of smooth co-ordination and the trademark tremor of the condition.
The cells in the brain which produce Dopamine are found to be seriously depleted in patients suffering from this condition, as much as 75 or 80% in some cases. The causes of these cell deaths are a mystery in the majority of cases, although some can be linked with extreme alcohol or drug abuse, or high levels of damage to the brain or the head over a sustained period of time. There are a variety of theories commonly held as to the cause of the cell deaths which are all very much under investigation, with substantial amounts of money ploughed into research each year.
One theory as to the causes of Parkinson's holds that toxins, either from internal or external sources, singles out the appropriate nerves and cells and causes extreme damage and death to those cells. This is held on the basis that there are numerous toxins which are proven to stimulate Parkinson's within patients.
A second theory, known as the free radical theory, believes that the unstable free radical molecules, which are produced in the body and are thought to have injurious effects by way of their reaction with iron for oxidation, are responsible for the onset of the condition. This works on the basis that in patients with the condition, many are found to have increased iron levels in the brain from normal readings, therefore leading theorists to believe the impact of free radical molecules may be the root cause of the problem.
A third major theory as to the cause of this condition, and one that features considerably in the researching and testing that goes on around the world is the role of genetics in Parkinson's. Around twenty percent of patients suffering from Parkinson's have a relative who also suffers, or who has experienced certain symptoms of the condition. Several of the key genes involved have been identified, and mutations of these genes or chromosomes is now known to result in Parkinson's disease.
A fourth major theory is that Parkinson's is the result of an accelerated aging process. The levels of dopamine in the body decline with age in all humans, and this theory suggests that for some reason, this process is increased in certain patients who consequently feel the effects of Parkinson's.
Most physicians believe that the truth lies somewhere in the middle, and draw on elements of all the four major theories to form their beliefs as to the causes of this frustrating and demoralising condition.
Parkinson's disease news on the Web
Gene Therapy Helps Children With Rare, Incurable Brain Disease
Using gene transfer techniques pioneered by University of Florida faculty, Taiwanese doctors have restored some movement in four children bedridden with a rare, life-threatening neurological disease. The first-in-humans achievement may also be helpful for more common diseases such as Parkinson's that involve nerve cell damage caused by lack of a crucial molecule in brain tissue... |
Unravelling How Locomotion Starts
Scientists at the University of Bristol have shed new light on one of the great unanswered questions of neuroscience: how the brain initiates rhythmic movements like walking, running and swimming... |
Potential To Predict Parkinson's Disease Via Colonoscopy Or Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
Two studies by neurological researchers at Rush University Medical Center suggest that, in the future, colonic tissue obtained during either colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy may be used to predict who will develop Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder of aging that that leads to progressive deterioration of motor function due to loss of neurons in the brain tha... |
Damaged Stem Cells Commit Suicide For The Good Of The Embryo
Embryonic stem cells - those revered cells that give rise to every cell type in the body - just got another badge of honor. If they suffer damage that makes them a threat to the developing embryo, they swiftly fall on their swords for the greater good, according to a study published online in the journal Molecular Cell... |
Once-Marginalized Parkinson's Disease Theory May Be Valid
The March issue of the FEBS Journal reports that scientists from the Californian University in San Diego have discovered new evidence for a theory that was once marginalized with regard to the underlying causes of Parkinson's disease, which conflicts with an older theory that Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases are caused by insoluble intracellular fibrils called amyloids... |
Strong Support Uncovered For Once-Marginalized Theory On Parkinson's Disease
University of California, San Diego scientists have used powerful computational tools and laboratory tests to discover new support for a once-marginalized theory about the underlying cause of Parkinson's disease. The new results conflict with an older theory that insoluble intracellular fibrils called amyloids cause Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases... |
Parkinson's Patients Might Respond To 19th Century Vibration-Chair Therapy
To relieve symptoms of Parkinson's disease, Jean-Martin Charcot, a famous neurologist in the 19th century developed a "vibration chair" that showed improvements in his patients. However, Charcot died soon afterwards, before being able to conduct a more comprehensive evaluation of his therapy... |
Parkinson's Protein Causes Disease Spread In Animal Model
Last year, researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania found that small amounts of a misfolded brain protein can be taken up by healthy neurons, replicating within them to cause neurodegeneration... |
Understanding How Parkinson's Disease Starts And Spreads
Injection of a small amount of clumped protein triggers a cascade of events leading to a Parkinson's-like disease in mice, according to an article published online this week in the Journal of Experimental Medicine. Progressive accumulation of clumps of the protein alpha-synuclein in the brains of patients with Parkinson's disease coincides with the onset of motor dysfunction... |
Easing Depression In Parkinson's Patients Without Worsening Other Symptoms
Today's anti-depressant medications can ease depression in Parkinson's patients without worsening other symptoms of the disease, according to a study published online in Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. "Depression is the number-one factor negatively affecting the quality of life for people with Parkinson's disease," said Irene Hegeman Richard, M.D... |
Ocular Tremors Parkinson's Disease Link
A study, published Online First by Archives of Neurology, reveals that persistent eye tremors seem to be common in individuals suffering from Parkinson's disease (PD). Ocular tremors can prevent eye stability during fixation and results from the study indicate that precise oculomotor testing could provide an early physiological biomarker for diagnosing Parkinson's disease. George T... |
Eating Berries May Lower Men's Parkinson's Risk
Men who regularly consume foods rich in flavonoids, such as berries, apples, certain vegetables, tea and red wine, may significantly reduce their risk for developing Parkinson's disease, according to a study published in the journal Neurology this week that saw no such effect among women... |
Potential Strategy To Restore Motor And Cognitive Function In Parkinson's Disease
An agent under consideration for use in PET imaging combats neuronal death to relieve Parkinsonian symptoms in animal models, according to a study published 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... |
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