Will be in the near future Parkinson’s curable?

The identification of two of the body’s own molecules could help in the future, the progression of Parkinson’s disease to stop the disease. This offers hope for a natural way to treat people with Parkinson’s more effective.

In the case of a current investigation under the direction of researchers at the McLean Hospital at Harvard Medical School (USA) have identified two molecules which can stop the production of dopamine in the progress of Parkinson’s disease. The results of the study were published in the English scientific journal “Nature Chemical Biology”.

What is the role played by the Protein Nurr1

The Team designed the study on the basis of the finding that a Protein called Nurr1 is the key for maintaining the health of neurons, the dopamine-producing. These neurons help, indirectly, to control the movements and emotions of a Person. It is believed that a decreased effectiveness of Nurr1 can lead to a decrease in dopamine levels, leading to the development of Parkinson’s disease, report the researchers.

Three already approved drugs bind to Nurr1

“We thought that small molecules, which can activate Nurr1, may be a promising drug candidate for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. After many years of research, we found the 2015 three FDA-approved drugs that bind to Nurr1 and activate it,” explains the study author, Professor Dr Kwang-Soo Kim of the Harvard Medical School in a press release.

Promising natural molecules

This finding prompted the researchers to the hypothesis that natural molecules (endogenous ligands) could bind to Nurr1, but not the side effects. As the research group searched for such molecules in various tissues of mice, they found hormone-like Compounds called Prostaglandin A1 and E1 as a promising candidate that binds to the Nurr1 Protein and activate it.

The researchers created in addition, a model representing the structure of these molecules when they are bound to the Nurr1 Protein. So gewonnenene information will be crucial if treatment strategies, with the aim of Nurr1, are to be optimized.

Neurons protect against neuro-toxins

The results of the study show that physiological concentrations of Prostaglandin A1 and E1 on the nano can protect the molar area dopamine neurons against neuro-toxins. In addition, the researchers found that by the use of Prostaglandin A1 or E1 in mouse models, in which the development of Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms induced was, the engine will have improved skills and functions of the animals without any signs of side effects significantly.

Analyses of the brains of the animals showed that the treatment protected the dopamine-producing brain cells from dying and you brought to produce higher levels of dopamine.

Further research is needed

“Although we have shown in animal models that these molecules can correct the Parkinson’s-like symptoms in neuroprotective manner, further investigation is essential to determine whether you can work in human clinical trials,” adds Professor Kim (as)

Authors and source of information

This Text meets the requirements of the medical literature, medical guidelines, as well as current studies and was examined by doctors and Medical scientists.