Study identifies gene that contributes to Parkinson's disease

Study identifies gene that contributes to Parkinson's disease
April 4, 3:01 PM ·

MJFF has funded over $142 million in research to date

A new study helps to explain why people who carry mutations in a gene known as Nurr1 develop a rare, inherited form of Parkinson's disease (PD), the most prevalent movement disorder in people over the age of 65. A research team from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla has identified a protein in the brain of mice that protects neurons from excessive inflammation, which can lead to neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease.

Their study, which identifies the protective function of a protein called Nurr1 and defines the pathway by which it works, was published in the April 3rd edition of the medical journal Cell.

Parkinson's disease belongs to a group of conditions called motor system disorders, which are the result of the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. The four primary symptoms of PD are trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face; rigidity, or stiffness of the limbs and trunk; slowness of movement; and impaired balance and coordination. As these symptoms become more pronounced, patients may have difficulty walking, talking, or completing other simple tasks.