Two studies recently released provide more insight into diagnosing and treating Parkinsons disease.
One emerging area of study focuses on how the build-up of proteins in the brain may lead to neurodegenerative diseases. Interactions between two of those proteins, amyloid and tau, may distinguish Parkinson’s disease from other degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimers. This research is part of the Parkinsons Progression Markers Initiative, a global research project to better understand the disease sponsored in part by the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons research.
The other study, published in the journalNature Neuroscience, found that an anti-cancer compound protected dopamine-making neurons from death in a mouse model, and also prevented behavioral abnormalities similar to those seen in Parkinson’s disease.
For more information, click on the links below: