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Scientists have discovered a new treatment for Parkinson's disease that could improve the quality and life of patients. The protein is named after the Sonic the Hedgehog video game character.
Parkinson's patients suffer from the loss of neurons that make the brain molecule dopamine. Although there are treatments that can replace dopamine by a molecule called L–dopa but they also tend to cause involuntary movements known as L–dopa-induced dyskinesia or LID, these symptoms are not uncommon.
According to animal research published in Communications Biology on Wednesday, L-dopa therapy combined with agonists that increase activity of the protein sonic hedgehog, (Shh), seems to have prevented those tremors. This discovery provides new insights into the role of sonic hedgehogs as neurotransmitters. It could also help to develop better and more accessible treatments for Parkinson's Disease patients, if animal research is translated to humans.
Deep brain stimulation is a common treatment for Parkinson's patients.
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Deep brain stimulation is not for everyone. It's very invasive and not all are eligible to have it. Andreas Kottmann, a study coauthor and CUNY School of Medicine professor, stated in a press release that deep brain stimulation does not help everyone. This procedure is not available to all.
Yes, Sonic hedgehog is inhibited by Robotnikinin. However, scientists didn't know it could also function as a neurotransmitter. Scientists at CUNY discovered that dopamine-producing neurons destroyed by Parkinsons also produce Shh. This means they are better equipped to restore a Parkinsons patient's brain to its pre-disease state.
This is still far off, not least because the current research was done on primates and mice. If future research continues to show therapeutic benefits, we might soon have better and more accessible treatments for debilitating neurological conditions.
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