Protein Connection Between Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Probed

The proteins linked to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease may interact to enhance each other's distinct degenerative effects, indicating that drugs that block the production or accumulation of the proteins may have broader benefits than previously realized, according to researchers at the University of California, San Diego.

Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease are progressive neurological diseases but each causes distinct symptoms. Parkinson's causes tremor, muscle rigidity and movement problems while Alzheimer's causes the gradual decline in cognitive function.

According to the report published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, symptoms of both diseases can sometimes occur in the same patient, showing a potential link of the two conditions.

Researchers genetically engineered mice to either accumulate beta-amyloid proteins, as seen in Alzheimer's patients, or alpha-synuclein, a protein that builds up in the brain of patients with Parkinson's. A third group of mice accumulated both protein types.

The mice that had beta-amyloid and alpha-synuclein proteins developed symptoms of Alzheimer's and the ability of these mice to learn deteriorated more quickly than the mice that did not have the alpha-synuclein proteins, reported the researchers.

The mice with both proteins also showed a more rapid progress of Parkinson's disease, developing movement problems sooner than the mice with only alpha-synuclein proteins.

Researchers are conducting further studies on the connection between the two diseases, including research to see whether blocking amyloids also prevents the development of Parkinson's symptoms.

Other sources: Neurology