Israeli scientists have identified for the first time important processes in nerve cells that are the same in all types of Parkinson’s disease. One of the difficulties in developing new methods of treating this ailment is the fact that the hereditary form of the disease is noted only in 15% of patients.
Researchers from the University of Haifa have for the first time identified some nerve processes that are common to various types of Parkinson’s disease. It is an incurable neurodegenerative disease that affects one person in every 500. It provokes uncontrolled movements like tremors and tremors, stiffness and difficulty in coordinating movements. Over time, the disease progresses, and the person’s condition worsens, he has difficulties walking and talking, impaired posture and balance, as well as loss of automatic movements.
These processes are related to the ability of cells to connect with the extracellular matrix and create new synapses. Thanks to the use of an innovative technique, researchers have shown for the first time that even in sporadic cases of Parkinson’s disease, for the study of which models have not yet been created on laboratory animals, these processes are disrupted. Most current research is based on a small number of known mutations of Parkinson’s disease caused by genetic factors, since it is impossible to create models for periodic forms of the disease.
And now scientists have managed to create induced pluripotent stem cells and epigenetically reprogram them into the state of embryonic stem cells. Working with patients with a sporadic form of Parkinson’s disease, scientists have established disorders of nervous and cellular mechanisms that are the same for all forms of diseases. And this opens the way to new methods of treatment.
