New target found to fight Parkinson's

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), Oct, 2005

Neuroscientists have described for the first time how rotenone, an environmental toxin linked specifically to Parkinson's disease, selectively destroys the neurons that produce dopamine, the neurotransmitter critical to body movement and muscle control. Microtubules, intracellular highways that transport dopamine to the brain area that controls body movement, are the crucial target, point out researchers from the University at Buffalo (N.Y.).

Damage to microtubules prevents dopamine from reaching the brain's movement center, causing a backup of the neurotransmitter in the transport system, resulting in a release of toxic free radicals, which destroys the neuron.

"This study shows how an environmental toxin affects the survival of dopamine neurons by targeting microtubules that are critical for the survival of dopamine-producing neurons," explains Jian Feng, assistant professor of physiology and biophysics. "Based on these findings, we have identified several ways to stabilize microtubules against the onslaught of rotenone. These results ultimately may lead to novel therapies for Parkinson's disease."

At least 500,000 people in the U.S. are believed to suffer from Parkinson's, and about 50,000 new cases are reported annually, according to the National Institutes of Health, Washington, D.C. These figures are expected to increase as the population ages since average age of onset is about 60. The disorder appears to be a bit more common in men than women.