New enzyme discovery could “put the brakes” on Parkinson’s

News

Author: Roisin McCormackPublished: 14 November 2019

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Professor Dario Alessi University of Dundee

Researchers at the University of Dundee, UK, have discovered an enzyme that could reverse mutations in a gene commonly associated with the development of Parkinson’s.

The enzyme, called PPM1H, has been found to naturally prevent the biological activity of LRKK2 – it is hoped this discovery could slowdown the progression of the disease.

The researchers are now working with the university’s Drug Discovery Unit to develop compounds that could activate the newly discovered enzyme.

Professor Dario Alessi, one of the lead researchers, said: “Parkinson’s is like a runaway train – at present we have no way of putting the brakes on to slow it down, let alone stop it. This new enzyme we have found acts as the brakes in the pathway that causes Parkinson’s in humans.

“This finding opens the door for a new chemical approach to the search for Parkinson’s treatments.”

Lead image credit: University of Dundee

To read more on this topic click here.

Researchers awarded £250,000 by UK Medical Research Council

Last Month

Next Month

Go Back

Share this story

Comments

Interviews

Dog research could lead to detection of the cause of Parkinson’s

We are just a sniff away from finding the molecule for Parkinson’s diseas

Meet the ultra-athlete who clocked up 14,000 miles and $2m for Parkinson’s

Sam Fox: hiking, climbing and biking my way to raising $2m

Comedian Rob Deering on raising nearly £100,000 for Parkinson’s UK

"I’ve run nine marathons to raise money for Parkinson’s"

Is sleepwalking linked to risk of Parkinson’s disease in men?

Men who sleepwalk may be at a greater risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, according to a new study from researchers in the US. The team assessed Mayo Clinic sleep questionnaire survey answers from 25,694 men, 1% of whom had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. They found that men who experienced sleepwalking were four times more likely to have Parkinson’s, and those with probable REM sleep behaviour disorder – a condition where sleepers experience sudden body movements while dreaming – were six times more likely. For those who experienced both sleepwalking and REM sleep behaviour disorder, the risk increased to eight times more likely. “We need further studies to understand this,” said senior author, Dr Xiang Gao. “Particularly to see whether sleepwalking occurs before Parkinson’s onset, and the number of individuals with sleepwalking who eventually develop Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.”

Stay tuned for series two of the Parkinson’s Life podcast

The award-winning Parkinson’s Life podcast is back this month. Helping to amplify the voices of the international Parkinson’s community, the podcast has so far reached more than 12,000 people around the world. Thanks to the support of pharmaceutical companies, and the backing of a grant from the Boston Scientific Foundation Europe, the second series will bring together people with Parkinson’s disease and experts in their field to explore topics such as sleep hygiene, exercise and mental health, and to offer advice to listeners. Sandrine Bazile, president of the Boston Scientific Foundation Europe, says: “We fully support this project because it mirrors perfectly our mission to improve patient wellbeing using innovative solutions. We believe in the importance of the [Parkinson’s Life] podcast series, with its aim to improve the information and education available to people with Parkinson’s and their families – to help them live life to the full.”

How Parkinson’s disease could impact the way you see art

A new study from a team at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, US, has indicated that Parkinson’s disease could affect the way people experience art. The researchers asked 43 people with the condition and 40 controls to make judgements about 10 paintings by American artist Jackson Pollock and 10 by Dutch painter Piet Mondrian, rating them according to factors including liking, beauty, motion, complexity and colour-saturation. The participants with Parkinson’s showed more of a preference for ‘high-motion’ art. They also showed a lower recognition of movement compared to controls, suggesting that the brain’s motor system may help interpret movement from static visual cues. However, the research team noted that many of the participants were on their usual medication, and that the impact of dopamine agonists on the experience of art would also need to be considered.

All fields required

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Enter Email Confirm Email
Country of residence*
About me*
- I have Parkinson's disease
- I am a partner / carer / family / friend of someone who has Parkinson's
- I am a healthcare professional with an interest in Parkinson's
- I work for a Parkinson's disease organisation
- Other
CAPTCHA
*
- By proceeding you agree to our
Email
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

New enzyme discovery could “put the brakes” on Parkinson’s

News

Author: Roisin McCormackPublished: 14 November 2019

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Interviews

Dog research could lead to detection of the cause of Parkinson’s

Interviews

Meet the ultra-athlete who clocked up 14,000 miles and $2m for Parkinson’s

Interviews

Comedian Rob Deering on raising nearly £100,000 for Parkinson’s UK

Is sleepwalking linked to risk of Parkinson’s disease in men?

Stay tuned for series two of the Parkinson’s Life podcast

How Parkinson’s disease could impact the way you see art

{title}

Subscribe

New enzyme discovery could “put the brakes” on Parkinson’s

News

Author: Roisin McCormackPublished: 14 November 2019

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

Interviews

Dog research could lead to detection of the cause of Parkinson’s

Interviews

Meet the ultra-athlete who clocked up 14,000 miles and $2m for Parkinson’s

Interviews

Comedian Rob Deering on raising nearly £100,000 for Parkinson’s UK

Is sleepwalking linked to risk of Parkinson’s disease in men?

Stay tuned for series two of the Parkinson’s Life podcast

How Parkinson’s disease could impact the way you see art

{title}

Subscribe

Sign in