Parkinson's Disease May 'Burn Out' Brain Cells

Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative illness that's characterized by a loss of neurons in specific regions of the brain. As many as one million Americans live with Parkinson's, according to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, and an estimated seven to 10 million worldwide are currently living with the illness. Symptoms of the health issue typically begin around the age of 50 and men are more than one and a half times more likely to have the health issue than women.

New findings published in the journal Current Biology reveal another clue into the beginnings of the disease. Researchers discovered that it may have something to do with what they're referring to as "brain cell burnout." The new findings point toward a potential key role for mitochondria and neurons' high energy requirements as part of the underlying disease triggering mechanisms, according to a news release. Furthermore, the study results highlight just how the bioenergetics and morphological specificities of substania nigra dopaminergic-neurons underline an increased vulnerability with the disease.

"This study provides strong support to the idea that it is the unique structure and function of these cells that makes them especially susceptible to a damaging process called oxidative stress," Dr. Arthur Roach works with charity Parkinson's UK. said. "We hope that this study will rekindle interest in the approach, and even lead to new treatments based on the most up-to-date ideas about oxidative stress."

Of course, lead study author Louis-Éric Trudeau, a professor at the university's Departments of Phamacology and Neurosciences, noted that it is expected that over time, our bodies are programmed in such a way that certain parts are less able to withstand certain effects. However, he noted with Parkinson's in particular, an effective treatment may be found thanks to this recent discovery in the not so distant future.

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