A recent study by a team from Wuhan University in China has shed new light on the origins of Parkinson’s disease. Traditionally, it was thought that the disease was caused by a drastic drop in dopamine production in the brain. However, researchers have found evidence suggesting that the kidneys may play a crucial role in the development of Parkinson’s.
The study focused on alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) protein, which is closely linked to the disease. Abnormal α-Syn production can lead to clumps of misfolded proteins that interfere with brain function. But what’s remarkable is that these abnormal proteins also build up in the kidneys.
The researchers found that 10 out of 11 people with Parkinson’s and other types of dementia related to Lewy bodies had abnormal α-Syn growth in their kidneys. This suggests that the kidneys may be an origin point for pathological α-Syn, which can then travel to the brain and cause damage.
Further studies using genetically engineered mice provided more evidence. In healthy mice, injected α-Syn clumps were cleared out quickly, but in mice with dysfunctional kidneys, the proteins accumulated and eventually spread to the brain. This was not observed when nerves between the brain and kidneys were cut off.
The study also explored how α-Syn proteins move through the blood. A reduction in α-Syn levels in the blood led to less damage to the brain, providing another potential avenue for treatment.
While there are limitations to this study, including a small sample size of tissue samples, the findings offer promising insights into the development of new treatments for Parkinson’s and related neurological disorders. The study suggests that Parkinson’s may be triggered by multiple factors and risk factors, possibly even in the gut and kidneys.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/parkinsons-disease-might-not-start-in-the-brain-study-finds