The expert spoke about the role of proteins in the development of Parkinson's disease

The role of pathological proteins and molecular mechanisms of cell protection is considered as one of the key directions in the study of Parkinson's disease. Gennady Piavchenko, Associate Professor of the Department of Human Anatomy and Histology at Sechenov University, told Izvestia on April 11, the World Day against Parkinson's Disease, about how proteins affect the development of the disease and what prospects it opens for therapy.

According to the expert, Parkinson's disease remains a complex and multifactorial disease in which neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and disruptions in the production of neurotransmitters occur simultaneously. There is no complete understanding of the nature of the disease yet, since various pathological processes can enhance each other.

A key area of research by Sechenov University scientists is the study of the accumulation of damaged proteins and the role of molecular chaperones.

"Abnormal proteins that the cell has failed to destroy worsen the course of the disease. Their deposition, including in the form of so-called Levi bodies, is a characteristic manifestation of Parkinson's disease. Nevertheless, it would be too bold to declare the central role of pathological proteins," said Piavchenko.

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Scientists pay special attention to HSP70 heat shock proteins, which are involved in protein quality control and maintaining cellular balance. As the expert explained, these molecules contribute to the proper folding of proteins, and direct damaged structures to destruction, as well as participate in the regulation of intracellular processes and inflammatory reactions.

"Animal experiments have shown that at elevated levels of HSP70, neurons can remain viable for longer, which makes these proteins one of the possible application points for future drugs," he stressed.

At the same time, according to the scientist, a direct causal relationship between an increase in HSP70 levels and the protection of neurons has not yet been established, despite the reproducibility of the results in different studies.

Additionally, researchers are studying the effects of neuroinflammation and changes in glial cells, as well as damage to various brain structures, including the limbic system, which allows for a better understanding of not only the motor, but also the cognitive and emotional manifestations of the disease.

In conclusion, Piavchenko noted that the introduction of new therapies requires long-term research.

"Even for not the most "complex" drugs with a more or less well-known mechanism of action, preclinical and clinical studies take at least 10-12 years. And here we have a completely new direction — molecular chaperones," he added.

Thus, the study of heat shock proteins opens up prospects for the development of new approaches to the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, but their practical application remains the task of the future.

On April 5, the journal Medical Xpress reported that researchers at Tsinghua University and Changping Laboratory have found out how deep brain stimulation (DBS) affects the neural circuits of patients with Parkinson's disease. It was clarified that deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an invasive surgical procedure in which small holes are formed in the patient's skull to implant electrodes in specified areas of the brain, and a power source is installed under the skin in the chest area.

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