Wise Young
12-02-2006, 07:23 PM
Current animal models of Parkinson's disease don't include the progressive deterioration that occurs in the human form of the disease. This discovery which selectively causes deterioration of dopaminergic neurons represent an important advance that will allow the testing new therapies of Parkinson's disease. If this discovery leads to a progressive dopaminergic degenerative disease in animals that is like Parkinson's disease, we are likely to see a large influx of the therapies for the disease.
Wise.
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20061130-125107-2171r
Study: Parkinson's mutation stunts neurons
NEW YORK, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say mutations in a key brain protein involved in a form of Parkinson's disease stunts the normal growth and branching of neurons.
The Columbia University researchers say they have pinpointed the malfunction of the protein made by mutant forms of the gene called LRRK2 and how it affects neurons, ultimately leading to their death. The loss of dopamine-producing neurons is central to the pathology of Parkinson's disease, and loss of connections among such neurons is an early feature in the disease process.
Asa Abeliovich and colleagues say their findings could lead to animal models for studying that particular form of Parkinson's disease and perhaps ultimately to new treatments.
They reported their findings in the Nov. 22 issue of the journal Neuron.
Wise.
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20061130-125107-2171r
Study: Parkinson's mutation stunts neurons
NEW YORK, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say mutations in a key brain protein involved in a form of Parkinson's disease stunts the normal growth and branching of neurons.
The Columbia University researchers say they have pinpointed the malfunction of the protein made by mutant forms of the gene called LRRK2 and how it affects neurons, ultimately leading to their death. The loss of dopamine-producing neurons is central to the pathology of Parkinson's disease, and loss of connections among such neurons is an early feature in the disease process.
Asa Abeliovich and colleagues say their findings could lead to animal models for studying that particular form of Parkinson's disease and perhaps ultimately to new treatments.
They reported their findings in the Nov. 22 issue of the journal Neuron.