Time: 2024-08-30
In 1817 , James Parkinson identify the disease that now bear his name , Parkinson 's disease , as a neurodegenerative disorder . today , over 10 million people worldwide suffer from this condition , with about 1 million Americans affect . The disease cause the gradual death of brain cell responsible for motion control , lead to symptom such as tremor and stiffness . Unfortunately , there are currently no treatment available to arrest or decelerate down this cell death process.
research_worker have long been investigation the function of mitochondrion , the cell 's powerhouse , in Parkinson 's disease . mitochondrion are moral_force structure that constantly change in size and location to meet the cell 's energy demand . break in mitochondrial dynamics can lead to cell dysfunction and death , lend to neurodegenerative disease like Parkinson 's . toxic protein and environmental factor can interrupt mitochondrial function , lead to the accretion of harmful sum in the cells.
Holocene survey by Weill Cornell Medicine research_worker have identify the enzyme PGK1 as a key player in energy production in brain cell , specifically dopamine nerve_cell affect by Parkinson 's disease . enhance PGK1 activity can antagonize energy deficit in these nerve_cell , potentially deceleration or fillet the progression of the disease . By increase PGK1 expression , research_worker were able to boost energy production in nerve_cell , prevent synaptic dysfunction associate with Parkinson's.
The survey highlight the potential of target PGK1 with more potent and selective drug to dainty Parkinson 's disease . FDA - approve drug like terazosin , which enhance PGK1 activity , have show promise consequence in animal model of Parkinson 's . Even a modest addition in PGK1 activity can restore neural energy degree and prevent axonal degeneration in Parkinson 's model . Furthermore , the partnership between PGK1 and DJ-1 , a protein involve in Parkinson 's , offer new penetration into the disease process.
In decision , target PGK1 for Parkinson 's disease treatment represent a potential discovery in the field . By focus on enhance energy production in vulnerable dopamine nerve_cell , research_worker may have uncover a new nerve_pathway for development more effective treatment for neurodegenerative disease like Parkinson 's . As research advancement , the development of drug plan to specifically enhance PGK1 activity could supply hope for million of person life with Parkinson 's disease.