Fresh scientific evidence sheds new light on how Parkinson’s disease may develop and spread in the body. By pinpointing the role of immune cells in transporting toxic proteins from the gut to the brain, the research opens up a possible therapeutic strategy that could be applied well before motor symptoms emerge.
Parkinson’s disease and the gut–brain connection
Scientists have long suspected that Parkinson’s disease may originate in the gut. This theory is based on the fact that one of the first brain regions affected is the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve, which is directly connected to the digestive system. What remained unclear, however, was how the disease process travels from the gut to the brain.
The role ensuring of gut immune cells
A new mouse study conducted by researchers at the UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London identifies a central role for gut macrophages. These specialised immune cells normally act as a first line of defence, engulfing and destroying harmful invaders. The study shows that they can also transport toxic proteins linked to Parkinson’s disease from the gut towards the brain.
Key findings from the study
The research, published in the scientific journal Nature and funded by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, demonstrated that reducing the number of gut macrophages in mice limited the spread of the toxic protein. This was accompanied by an improvement in motor symptoms.
Implications for early treatment
These findings point to a new potential therapeutic approach for Parkinson’s disease. By targeting the immune processes involved in the early stages of disease spread, it may be possible to intervene before the onset of the hallmark motor symptoms.
Next steps in research
The research team plans to further examine how the immune system can negatively affect the brain and whether this mechanism can be used to develop new drug targets. At the same time, they will explore the use of inflammation markers in the blood as potential tools for the early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.
Source: CNA