Scientists succeed in reflecting Parkinson’s symptoms in mice

“All the mice that we treated showed a great improvement in their motor skills. The results have exceeded our expectations and indicated that after more study, this therapeutic approach may slow Parkinson’s progress in humans,” says Double.

But experts warn that Parkinson’s is a complex situation that is likely to require multiple interventions combined. Individual therapy may have a limited effect, but its effectiveness may be enhanced by combining it with other therapeutic methods.

In this context, the results of the Double team can be completed Modern research From Stanford University, she focused on restoring communication between neurons in a sub -type of Parkinson -related mutation in the gene responsible for the production of an enzyme called LRRK2.

In these cases, the mutation causes hyperactivity in the enzyme, changing the structure of the brain cells and disrupting the signal between Dopamine neurons And those in the scheme, a deep brain region related to movement, motivation and decision -making.

It is estimated that about 25 percent of Parkinson’s genetic cases were originally, and that the Lrk2 mutation is one of the most common. Stanford Susan’s Neuroscientist team suggested that inhibiting the excessive activity of this enzyme can stabilize symptoms, especially if it is discovered in the early stages. The goal was to renew the cilia of the initial cilia, and the antenna -like structures that allow communication between cells.

The hypothesis is tested in the genetically modified mice to show the Lrk2 hyperactivity and the early symptoms of the disorder. For two weeks, these animals were managed by a compound called MLI-2, which is associated with the enzyme and reduces its activity.

In this first test, no relevant changes were observed, which attributed researchers to the fact that the neurons that were examined and the beard sweat – another type of cell in the nervous system, which supports neurons – are already mature and were not in the stage of the division of cells.

However, the review of scientific literature revealed that, even if it is mature, some neurons can renew their initial cilia depending on their sleep courses. “The results indicating that other reproductive cells can develop cilia that made us believe that the barrier still has therapeutic capabilities,” PFEFFer explains.

Then the team decided to extend the treatment to three months. After this period, they found that the percentage of neurons and glial cells in the scheme with the initial cilia was similar to those in healthy mice without a genetic mutation.

The restoration of these cellular structures has made it possible to reactivate communication between dopamine and scheme neurons. As a result, the nerve tankers affected by LRRK2 protein have caused the production of neurological prevention factors at levels similar to those in the healthy brain, which was reduced as a result of the hyperactivity of LRRK2. In addition, the signs of density have doubled from the ends of the dopamine nerve, indicating a possible recovery of the previously damaged neurons.

“These results indicate that it is not only possible to install the disease, but also to improve the condition of patients. This therapeutic approach has a great possibility to restore nervous activity in the affected circuits Parkinson.

The authors emphasize that, to increase the effectiveness of this treatment, it is necessary to determine Early symptomsWhich can occur up to 15 years before the distinctive tremors. Hope is that people with Lrk2 mutation are able to start treatment early. The next step is to evaluate whether other variables in Parkinson, not associated with this genetic mutation, can also benefit from this strategy.

It is estimated that the number of Parkinson’s cases around the world can exceed 25 million by 2050, which represents an increase of 112 percent at the numbers of 2021, according to expectations. Published In the British Medical Journal. Although these estimates are not final, the scientific community warns that it reflects an increasing challenge to public health systems. For this reason, the development of treatments capable of relieving, stabilizing and even reflecting the development of the disease is a global priority.

This story was originally appeared on Wireless In Spanish It was translated from Spanish.