The Parkinson disease is a chronic, slowly progressive neurodegenerative condition which affects a structure of a few millimeters located at the base of the brain and which is composed of dopaminergic neurons. Their function is to manufacture and release dopamine, a neurotransmitter essential for controlling body movements, especially automatic movements. Affected by the disease, the neurons cease to function. But the reason why they stop their activity is still unknown.
A team of researchers from the University of Montreal has undoubtedly taken a big step towards solving this mystery. Indeed, they have just discovered that the brain cells involved in Parkinson’s disease have greater energy needs than the others. “Like an engine that would always run at high speed, these cells need an incredible amount of energy to operate,” explains Prof. Louis Eric Trudeau, the main author of this discovery. “The counterpart of these high energy needs is that they produce more waste. Depletion and this accumulation would cause premature cell death”.
The Canadian researchers hope that their study will revive interest in the fight against oxidative stress, the main aggressor of brain cells.
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