Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons. Dopamine plays an important role in PD development. Here are some key facts: Dopamine is a chemical messenger in the brain involved in movement, motivation, and mood. Loss of dopamine-producing neurons causes the motor symptoms of PD like tremors, rigidity, and …
A new study in mice shows how the immune system may play a role in the early gastrointestinal symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, decades before movement problems develop. Researchers found that injecting a specific piece of the alpha-synuclein protein into genetically modified mice triggered inflammation and loss of nerve cells in the gut, leading to constipation …
A new neurology study provides compelling evidence that retinal imaging can detect Parkinson’s disease years before diagnosis. Researchers found thinning of two inner retinal layers – the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) and inner nuclear layer (INL) – in people who went on to develop Parkinson’s disease up to 7 years later. These findings suggest …
