New research at Van Andel Research Institute may uncover origins of PD

News

Author: Almaz OhenePublished: 10 December 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

The Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) in Michigan, US, has expanded into new areas of research in molecular biology, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and epigenetics in relation to Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.

The centre claims that the new approach of ‘neuroepigenetics’ offers insights into uncovering the origins of Parkinson’s disease, and could be a key step in developing better ways to diagnose and treat the disease.

Peter Jones, VARI’s research director, said: “There is great potential for epigenetics to revolutionise our understanding of how neurodegenerative diseases occur and progress.”

Last Month

Next Month

Go Back

Share this story

Comments

Resources & Tools

Perspectives on relationships, intimacy and Parkinson’s disease

Four women share insights in a Davis Phinney Foundation webinar

Can a diabetes drug be repurposed to treat Parkinson’s too?

Common diabetes drug may have potential to treat Parkinson’s

A “world-first” trial for Parkinson’s disease

A new trial in Canada is investigating ultrasound technology

New evidence fruit compound could support Parkinson’s disease treatment

A new study from researchers in the US and South Korea suggests farnesol, a natural compound found in fruit, may be beneficial in treating Parkinson’s disease. The team used mice models to test the compound’s role in deactivating PARIS – a protein which can contribute to Parkinson’s onset by reducing the shields around dopamine-producing neurons. For one week, they fed mice a diet containing farnesol and compared them with mice who were fed a normal diet. They then administered the mice with alpha-synuclein protein linked to Parkinson’s effects in the brain. The findings revealed that the mice that had consumed farnesol had twice the number of healthy dopamine neurons as the control group, and performed better in tests designed to assess Parkinson’s symptoms. The researchers concluded that, while safe doses for humans have not yet been determined, “farnesol may be beneficial in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease”.

Turmeric oil may offer new ways of treating Parkinson’s disease

Turmeric oil may be beneficial in treating Parkinson’s disease, according to researchers from Kumamoto University in Japan. Their findings support the known properties of aromatic turmerone (ar-turmerone), a compound found in turmeric essential oil, which reduces inflammatory responses caused by cells associated with Parkinson’s-related neurodegeneration. Using midbrain slice cultures – laboratory cellular models that mimic brain activity – the team analysed the effects of a natural form of aromatic turmerone and eight structurally similar derivatives. They tested the derivatives’ anti-inflammatory effects, as well as their ability to protect dopamine-producing neurons. Those with the strongest anti-inflammatory effects were found to prevent the loss of dopamine-producing neurons. Among these were aromatic turmerone and its derivatives, suggesting their role as a “potential candidate for treating Parkinson’s disease”. In a press release, lead author Takahiro Seki said: “Our study elucidated a new mechanism by which ar-turmerone and its derivatives directly protect … [dopamine-producing] neurons.”

Research offers new insights on a cause of Parkinson’s disease

Researchers in Denmark have shared insights on a cause of up to 95% of Parkinson’s disease cases. Using data on gene patterns and three mouse models, scientists at the University of Copenhagen found that a blockage to a pathway regulating mitochondria (‘powerhouses’ that generate energy for reactions in cells) causes a form of the condition known as ‘sporadic Parkinson’s disease’. When the pathway becomes blocked by a protein, damaged mitochondria accumulate, unable to produce enough energy – which in turn causes nerve cells to die. “Just like when people eat, cells take what they need and get rid of … waste products,” explained corresponding study author Professor Shohreh Issazadeh-Navikas. “But if our brain cells have this specific kind of signalling blockage, it means that the powerhouse of the cell – mitochondria – cannot get cleaned up after being damaged.” The team now plan to investigate the pathway’s role in neuronal…

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
Phone
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

New research at Van Andel Research Institute may uncover origins of PD

News

Author: Almaz OhenePublished: 10 December 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Resources & Tools

Perspectives on relationships, intimacy and Parkinson’s disease

Advances

Can a diabetes drug be repurposed to treat Parkinson’s too?

Advances

A “world-first” trial for Parkinson’s disease

New evidence fruit compound could support Parkinson’s disease treatment

Turmeric oil may offer new ways of treating Parkinson’s disease

Research offers new insights on a cause of Parkinson’s disease

{title}

Subscribe

New research at Van Andel Research Institute may uncover origins of PD

News

Author: Almaz OhenePublished: 10 December 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

Resources & Tools

Perspectives on relationships, intimacy and Parkinson’s disease

Advances

Can a diabetes drug be repurposed to treat Parkinson’s too?

Advances

A “world-first” trial for Parkinson’s disease

New evidence fruit compound could support Parkinson’s disease treatment

Turmeric oil may offer new ways of treating Parkinson’s disease

Research offers new insights on a cause of Parkinson’s disease

{title}

Subscribe

Sign in