New Breakthrough Sparks Hope for Parkinson’s Treatment

Quick Summary

• A new understanding of Parkinson’s disease suggests there may be two distinct types.
• Parkinson’s, traditionally associated with brain neuron depletion, also considerably affects the autonomic neurons in the heart that regulate functions like heart rate and blood pressure.
• neuroscientist Per Borghammer observed neuron loss in the heart of individuals who showed no brain-related symptoms or official Parkinson’s diagnosis at the time but had REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD).
• Borghammer hypothesized that Parkinson’s may follow two different pathways: one where neuron loss starts outside the brain, affecting other parts like the heart before progressing to neurological symptoms; and another where neuron loss is primarily restricted to the brain from inception.
• This differentiation could pave new avenues for treatment approaches.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The discovery that Parkinson’s disease might present as two separate types has potential implications for diagnosis and treatment strategies globally,including in India. The distinction between a type starting with peripheral nerve damage-including autonomic disruptions-and one confined to central nervous system degradation could help refine early identification measures.In India, where access to advanced medical imaging tools is limited outside metropolitan centers, this insight underscores a need for innovation in diagnostic technologies capable of monitoring systemic effects at an affordable scale. Moreover, better understanding how conditions such as REM sleep behaviour disorder predict neurological illnesses offers opportunities for preventive health strategies tailored to diverse populations.Read More: