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Progressive,
region-specific changes in the brain’s blood vessels have been discovered by
researchers in Australia.
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These changes reshape
scientific understanding of Parkinson's disease.
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The study has been
released by Neuroscience Research Australia.
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It shows that Parkinson’s
affects cerebrovascular health, beyond the traditional focus on protein buildup
and neuronal loss.
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Scientists observed an
increased number of string vessels, along with disruptions in blood flow and
blood-brain barrier function.
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The string vessels are
non-functional capillary remnants.
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The study was conducted
in collaboration with the University of New South Wales and the University of
Sydney. The study was published in the journal Brain.
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Targeting these vascular
changes may slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease.
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Researchers are
investigating whether similar blood vessel changes happen in Alzheimer’s
disease and dementia with Lewy bodies.
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Lewy bodies are abnormal
aggregations of protein. They develop inside neurons affected by Parkinson's
disease, the Lewy body dementias.
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Lewy bodies also develop
in several other disorders such as multiple system atrophy.
