Parkinson’s disease is mostly known for motor control problems, but a significant number of patients who have the condition also experience cognitive decline.
A new study from University of Arizona researchers shows there may be a path to treatment.
The key is a protein called PNA5. The study showed treatments with the protein reversed cognitive dysfunction in mice by using object recognition and mazes.
It was able to do so by targeting inflammation in the brain. While inflammation is part of the immune system’s response to fight infections, there’s potential for harm.
“It can also become maladaptive in certain situations and that's kind of what happens in Parkinson's disease is that these immune cells called microglia are in fact have become maladaptive, and they go into the supercharge state we call it," said UA professor and study co-author Lalitha Madhavan.
She said she’s hopeful, as a similar drug using the protein is also in clinical trials treating vascular dementia. The study was published in the journal Experimental Neurology.
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