The unwanted formation of blood vessels — angiogenesis — in the brain is likely to be the cause of intractable walking and balance difficulties for people who suffer from Parkinson’s disease, according to new research.
Many people with Parkinson’s disease eventually experience walking and balance difficulties, despite adequate medication. Moreover, some patients cannot fully take dopamine-based medication, as dopamine can lead to side effects.
The current research findings verify similar data from a previous study by other researchers, which was performed on brain tissue from a small number of deceased patients.
« The strength of our study is the number of participants, and the fact that they are alive. Because many suffer from several parallel diseases at the final stage of their lives, it is difficult to analyse samples from deceased persons », explains Oskar Hansson, reader at Lund University and consultant at Skåne University Hospital.
The findings, published in the journal Neurology, were made when the researchers used a broad approach when looking for mechanisms to increase understanding of how Parkinson’s disease works. « The measurements showed clear connections between markers of angiogenesis in the brain and walking or balance difficulties among the participants. We also noted an increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier, which leads to blood components potentially leaking into the brain and causing damage », says Oskar Hansson.
Source: Lund University