Parkinson’s disease linked to progressive changes in brain blood vessels: Study

New Delhi: A new study from Australia has revealed that Parkinson’s disease causes major and progressive changes in the brain’s blood vessels, offering fresh insight into how the condition develops. The findings suggest that the disease affects not just nerve cells but also the brain’s vascular system.

Parkinson’s is commonly associated with the build-up of alpha-synuclein protein, but researchers at Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) found that region-specific damage to blood vessels plays a key role in how the disease progresses. According to Derya Dik, a postdoctoral researcher at NeuRA, the team observed an increase in “string vessels,” which are non-functional remnants of capillaries.

The study, carried out with scientists from the University of New South Wales and the University of Sydney, also reported changes in blood flow and disruptions in the blood-brain barrier. These findings, published in the journal Brain, could open the door to new treatment strategies.

Researchers believe that targeting these progressive vascular changes may help slow down Parkinson’s disease and improve patient outcomes. They are now exploring whether similar blood vessel changes are present in other neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies.

Dik said the team hopes the research will not only lead to new therapy options for Parkinson’s but also improve understanding of how vascular issues contribute to other brain disorders, helping identify potential new treatment targets.

(with inputs from agencies)