
via Osaka University
An Osaka University-led research team has recently published findings that provide a ray of hope for the millions of Parkinson’s disease (PD) sufferers worldwide. Although more common in those aged over sixty, PD can strike at any age, with an estimated prevalence of 41 per 100,000 people in their forties. And while not fatal in and of itself, the progressive neurodegeneration that is characteristic of PD can often cause secondary effects that lead to death.
The exact cause of PD is still a mystery, but researchers believe that both genetics and the environment are likely to play a part. Importantly though, all PD patients show a loss of dopaminergic neurons in the brain and increased levels of a protein called ?-synuclein, which accumulates in Lewy bodies. Lewy bodies are a pathological feature of both familial and sporadic forms of the disease, as well as some types of dementia.
In the study published this month in Scientific Reports, the team led by researchers from Osaka University’s Graduate School of Medicine focused on ?-synuclein as a target for a novel PD treatment.
“Although there are drugs that treat the symptoms associated with PD, there is no fundamental treatment to control the onset and progression of the disease,” explains lead author Takuya Uehara. “Therefore, we looked at ways to prevent the expression of ?-synuclein and effectively eliminate the physiological cause of PD.”
To do this, the researchers designed short fragments of DNA that are mirror images of sections of the ?-synuclein gene product. The constructs were stabilized by the addition of amido-bridging. The resulting fragments, called amido-bridged nucleic acid-modified antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), bind to their matching mRNA sequence, preventing it from being translated into protein. After screening 50 different ASOs, the researchers settled on a 15-nucleotide sequence that decreased ?-synuclein mRNA levels by 81%.
“When we tested the ASO in a mouse model of PD, we found that it was delivered to the brain without the need for chemical carriers,” says co-lead author Chi-Jing Choong. “Further testing showed that the ASO effectively decreased ?-synuclein production in the mice and significantly reduced the severity of disease symptoms within 27 days of administration.”
Explains senior author of the study Hideki Mochizuki, “Our results showed that gene therapy using ?-synuclein-targeting ASOs is a promising strategy for the control and prevention of PD. We expect that in the future, this method will be used to not only successfully treat PD, but also dementia caused by ?-synuclein accumulation.”
Learn more: Stopping Parkinson’s disease before it starts
The Latest on: Parkinson’s disease
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Parkinson’s disease” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Parkinson’s disease
- Expanding the scope of Parkinson’s researchon January 16, 2023 at 8:08 am
The University of Rochester Medical Center is looking for more participants in the landmark Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative.
- Study uncovers a strong link between gut bacteria and development of Parkinson’s diseaseon January 16, 2023 at 6:24 am
Parkinson's disease may start in the gut and spread to the brain, a new study from the University of Surrey suggests.
- Mom with Parkinson’s steps out of her comfort zone as ‘Slim Shaky’ to rap about the diseaseon January 16, 2023 at 1:00 am
Making a rap video was far from any life plan for Joni Lowe, but then again so was being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 10 years ago. Lowe really stepped far out of her comfort zone to co-star in ...
- The burden of Parkinson’s disease in the Middle East and North Africa region, 1990-2019: results from the global burden of disease study 2019.on January 15, 2023 at 10:05 pm
Parkinson's disease (PD) remains a common disabling progressive neurodegenerative disorder. We aimed to report the prevalence, death and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) attributable to PD in ...
- Scientists Are Testing an Old Cough Medicine as a Parkinson's Disease Treatmenton January 13, 2023 at 5:12 pm
The Phase III trial will enroll over 300 people with Parkinson's disease, some of whom will receive the cough drug ambroxol.
- Parkinson's Research Newson January 13, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Jan. 10, 2023 — New research says the gut microbiome is involved in multiple pathways in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. The findings show a wide imbalance ... Nov. 28, 2022 ...
- How Is Parkinson’s Disease Treated?on January 13, 2023 at 3:32 pm
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that primarily impacts motor function, causing tremors, bradykinesia (slow and interrupted movements), and rigidity. It is a progressive ...
- IRLAB Nominates IRL1117 As Drug Candidate from The P003 Project to Develop a Novel Treatment for Parkinson’s Diseaseon January 11, 2023 at 10:30 pm
Gothenburg, Sweden, January 12, 2023 - AB (Nasdaq Stockholm: IRLAB A),a company discovering and developing novel treatments for Parkinson's disease, today announced that a drug candidate has been ...
- New study puts gut microbiome at the center of Parkinson's disease pathogenesison January 9, 2023 at 4:01 pm
Metagenomics of Parkinson’s disease implicates the gut microbiome in multiple disease mechanisms. Nature Communications , 2022; 13 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34667-x Cite This Page : ...
- Signs and Symptoms of Parkinson's Diseaseon January 3, 2023 at 2:25 pm
Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder characterized by tremors, slow or interrupted movements (known as “bradykinesia”), rigidity, and muscle stiffness, as well as an inability to ...
via Bing News