New research, led by Professor Shohreh Issazadeh-Navikas, has shed light on the workings of the brain in Parkinson’s disease patients, revealing critical insights into the condition’s progression. This groundbreaking study, recently published in Molecular Psychiatry, has expanded our understanding of Parkinson’s beyond its genetic elements, which have long been the focus of research.
The study highlights the damage inflicted on mitochondria, the energy powerhouses within brain cells, particularly neurons, in individuals with Parkinson’s. This damage disrupts mitochondrial DNA and plays a pivotal role in the progression of the disease.
Parkinson’s disease is a debilitating, chronic condition affecting the central nervous system, leading to symptoms such as mobility issues, tremors, cognitive impairment, and, ultimately, dementia. Globally, over 10 million people are affected by Parkinson’s, and although there is currently no cure, certain medical treatments can provide relief from its symptoms.
By examining both human and mouse brains, the researchers uncovered that mitochondrial damage in brain cells occurs and spreads when these cells possess defects in anti-viral response genes. This discovery unravelled a critical process underlying the disease.
According to Professor Issazadeh-Navikas, damaged fragments of mitochondrial DNA are released into the cell. When these fragments are mislocated, they become toxic, prompting nerve cells to expel them. Due to the interconnected nature of brain cells, these toxic DNA fragments spread to neighboring and distant cells, akin to an uncontrolled forest fire ignited by a casual bonfire.
This groundbreaking study marks a significant step toward a more profound understanding of Parkinson’s and the potential development of future treatments, diagnostics, and measures of treatment efficacy. It also holds promise for identifying damaged mitochondrial DNA as an early biomarker for disease development, potentially revolutionizing the diagnosis and management of Parkinson’s disease.
Professor Issazadeh-Navikas envisions the potential detection of damaged mitochondrial DNA in the bloodstream, which could enable simple blood tests for early diagnosis and monitoring treatment responses. The researchers’ future endeavors include exploring how mitochondrial DNA damage can serve as predictive markers for different disease stages and progression and developing interventions aimed at restoring normal mitochondrial function to rectify the mitochondrial dysfunctions implicated in Parkinson’s disease.