New hope for those with Parkinson’s disease



A team of researchers developed a one-time treatment that eliminates Parkinson’s disease in mice by replacing lost neurons with new ones. Parkinson's disease is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in a region of the brain called substantia nigra. Most Parkinson's disease treatment strategy aims to prevent neuronal loss or protect vulnerable neuronal circuits.



But researchers are currently exploring a new strategy that involves replacing the lost neurons by creating new neurons that produce dopamine. Many researchers have tried to many ways to generate new neurons in the lab. They tried to using stem cells and other means to study neurons and replace lost neurons in neurodegenerative diseases.



Researchers recently discovered that inhibiting a single gene transforms several types of mouse cells directly into neurons. For the study, a team of researchers wanted to test their neuron replacement strategy on mice using a chemically induced model of Parkinson’s disease. The Researchers applied a dopamine-look-a-like molecule to poison neurons that produce dopamine. As a result, the mice lose dopamine-producing neurons and develop symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease, such as movement deficiencies.



Then researchers developed a noninfectious virus that carries an artificial piece of DNA. They administered the treatment directly to the mouse’s midbrain which is responsible for regulating motor control and reward behaviors. This is the same part of the brain that loses the dopamine-producing neurons in Parkinson’s disease.



In the treated mice, a small subset of astrocyte cells converted into neurons which led to a 30% increase in the number of neurons. Dopamine levels were restored to a level similar to that in normal mice. Furthermore, the neurons grew and sent to their processes into other parts of the brain. The treated mice returned to the normal within 3 months after a single treatment that converts cells into dopamine-producing neurons. They remained completely free from symptoms of Parkinson’s disease