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Study Links Immune Cells To Parkinson's

Posted on: Monday, 29 December 2008, 09:00 CST

Scientists say that rogue immune cells entering the brain may contribute to the development of Parkinson's disease. 

A French study in mice with the disease showed the cells accumulating in brain tissue, and mice that were bred to lack them did not fall ill as quickly.

It is suggested by researchers that the cells could be targeted by using drugs.

A charity in the United Kingdom says the findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, did not yet prove that this approach would work.

Almost 120,000 people in the UK have Parkinson's disease, a progressive brain condition which causes symptoms such as tremor and difficulty moving.

This disease is caused by the death of nerve cells that produce chemical dopamine, which helps coordinate movements.

Past research suggests a link between inflammation in the brain and the condition, pointing the finger at one of the body's own immune responses.

INSERM Institute in Paris has researchers looking for the presence of a specific type of immune cell called a "T-cell" in the brain tissues, directly affected by Parkinson's.

They found cells gathering both in human brain samples taken from Parkinson's patients after death, and at an earlier stage in mice bred to develop the disease.

When mice lack these cells, the rate of the nerve cell death was slower.

According to researchers, this was enough evidence to start considering the possibility of using drugs to reduce this kind of immune response in patients with Parkinson's, in the hope that this will slow the progress of the disease.

A spokesman for the Parkinson's Disease Society said that research did not exclude other causes for the illness.

"This study has shown that the Parkinson's developed at a slower rate in mice lacking specific immune cells, which suggests that these cells do play a role in the development of the condition."

"However, the study doesn't determine at what stage of the disease the inflammation occurs. Therefore, the potential for anti-inflammatory treatment is difficult to determine."

He added, "It is also important to remember that as the study was done using mice, it doesn't provide a precise model for what happens in the human brain."

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On the Net:

• Journal of Clinical Investigation
• INSERM Institute
• Parkinson's Disease Society

Source: redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports

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