Gut Infection Leads to Parkinson's-like Pathology in Mice

https://www.technologynetworks.com/neuroscience/news/gut-infection-leads-to-parkinsons-like-pathology-in-mice-321849?utm_campaign=NEWSLETTER_TN_Breaking%20Science%20News&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=74778677&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8odE_0LMqR88BSU9romIAFcjVXwvBkojbFu5OseQ0DSgSzMzeAfg4VQO7ejVA1ig_m48Bc3lSvC1D2Ifo-ecZw3Hn1_w&_hsmi=74778677 Trudeau and McBride, two specialists in the field of PD research, argue that the findings in this new study may explain this disparity: these animals are normally kept in germ-free facilities, conditions not representative of those encountered by human beings who are constantly exposed to infectious microorganisms. Gruenheid, a microbiologist, is confident that the link between infection and PD will stimulate further study of the immune response linked to the initiation of the disease, allowing researchers to develop and test novel therapeutic approaches. PD is caused by the progressive death of a subset of neurons in the brain, called dopaminergic neurons. This loss of neurons is responsible for the typical motor symptoms observed in PD patients, including tremors and rigidity. What causes the death of the dopaminergic neurons is still unknown.