The Breakdown of Parkinson’s Disease

Written By: Suzana Morshed

Parkinson’s Disease is a disease that has peaked many scientists’ interests. It is a disease that has an unknown cause and no cure, which makes scientists want to dig deeper (2018). Parkinson’s Disease is a neurodegenerative disease that causes dopamine levels to drop. This affects the movement of a person’s body and usually causes tremors (2020). The majority of Parkinson’s cases are sporadic, meaning it is non-familial and not linked to genetics. Although there is no exact cause for the disease, pathologists believe that the environment, genetics, the presence of Lewy bodies, and the presence of alpha-synuclein play a role in determining the cause for Parkinson’s.

Environment and genetics play a small role in the causation of Parkinson’s. There has been some research done that shows that being exposed to certain chemicals like pesticides and heavy metals might increase the chances of getting Parkinson’s (2019). Environmental factors usually influence the development of Parkinson’s when there is a genetic susceptibility to it (2019). Genetics plays a role for less than 10% of the people with Parkinson’s (2019). The most common gene that causes Parkinson’s is a mutation in the LRRK2 gene. The defect in this gene usually occurs if it is found within the families’ genes and it triggers Parkinson’s. There are other gene variations that increase the chances of Parkinson’s but they have a small effect.

Pathologists have been seeing a very strong correlation between the presence of Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s. Lewy bodies are abnormal aggregations and inclusions of protein that develop inside nerve cells in people with Parkinson’s (Robertson, 2020). A higher presence of Lewy bodies has shown to be a precursor of Parkinson’s. Inside Lewy bodies, the protein alpha-synuclein can be found. Lewy bodies and alpha-synuclein could be found in the cerebral cortex, limbic system, and in extra-nigral neuronal groups (Dimitri Agamanolis, 2020). Alpha-synuclein plays an important role in determining Parkinson’s because it helps with the process of neurotransmission and it plays a large role in regulating the release of dopamine. When the alpha-synuclein misfolds and becomes very reactive, which causes cellular damage (CureParkinsonsT, 2020). When misfolds come together, they create Lewy bodies and cause brain cell death (CureParkinsonsT, 2020).

Although all these factors are very important in finding the cause of Parkinson’s there are still various mysteries that pathologists have to solve. They are still doing research on the role of genetics and the environment. They are also trying to figure out the other functions of the alpha-synuclein protein as it has been associated with other neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Plenty of research still needs to be done, and there is more to uncover.

Sources

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2. Causes of Parkinson’s: American Parkinson Disease Assoc. (2019, April 02). Retrieved August 01, 2020, from https://www.apdaparkinson.org/what-is-parkinsons/causes/
3. CureParkinsonsT. (2020). Alpha-synuclein and Parkinson’s. Retrieved August 01, 2020, from https://www.cureparkinsons.org.uk/why-alpha-synuclein
4. Dimitri Agamanolis, M. (2020). Neuropathology. Retrieved August 01, 2020, from https://neuropathology-web.org/chapter9/chapter9dPD.html
5. Robertson, L. (2020). ATrain Education. Retrieved August 01, 2020, from https://www.atrainceu.com/content/2-pathophysiology-parkinson%E2%80%99s-disease
6. Symptoms and causes. (2020, July 18). Retrieved August 01, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20376055?p=1