We know that Parkinson's is caused by damage to a small area at the base of the brain known as the Substantia Nigra, which contains cells that produce the chemical messenger dopamine. However, this is not the entire picture, and we believe that other brain structures and chemicals may be involved in causing the variety of different symptoms we see in patients.
One of the key questions for us in predicting what might happen to patients in the future is whether there is damage that can be found at an early stage, before patients start having problems. A recent study used hundreds of MRI scans from people with Parkinson's to look at another small structure deep in the brain, named the Nucleus Basalis of Meynert. This is shown in the MRI image below.
 |
| Nucleus Basalis of Meynert |
As researchers continue to put together these kinds of findings, we can develop increasingly accurate ways to predict disease and ultimately ensure that the right people have access to treatments at the earliest stages.
If you're interested in reading more, here is the link to the article https://academic.oup.com/brain/article/141/5/1501/4944714
-Anna
When will researchers who presumably write their own papers get up to date? Both PD and AD begin in the gut and gut bacteriome modification is a major field in which to begin amelioration of the condition.
ReplyDeleteSymptoms appear years before brain damage shows. Use of a mix of food additives and supplements can rapidly modify and alleviate the symptoms which affect most if not all body systems. It is not just a brain condition.
Recent findings that AD can be reversed and near normal cognition and memory regained indicate clearly that early intervention would be a good idea but please start from the correct origin.