New cause of Parkinson’s disease discovered Nature: Parkinson’s disease is associated with mitochondrial DNA damage

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Scientists from the University of Copenhagen discovered that Parkinson’s disease may develop due to abnormalities in mitochondrial DNA. Research results published In the journal Nature.

Parkinson’s disease is a slowly developing disease of the central nervous system characterized by slow movement, tremors and impaired reflexes. There is no clear answer to the question of the root cause of Parkinson’s disease.

Danish researchers suggested that the disease occurs due to damage to mitochondrial DNA. Mitochondrial DNA is found in mitochondria, small organelles found in almost all cells (such as microorganisms). One of its most important functions is to produce energy by combining nutrients obtained from glucose and fats obtained from food. Mitochondria are most abundant in cells that require large amounts of energy; these are muscle fibers, including the heart muscle (myocardium) and the brain.

Scientists believe that the cause of Parkinson’s disease is defective mitochondria resulting from mutations in mitochondrial genes. These damaged mitochondria proliferate rapidly in nerve cells (neurons) in the brain and lead to their degeneration.

Researchers are now trying to identify biomarkers (substances that allow us to study changes in the body) that indicate damage to mitochondrial DNA. They will most likely be detected through blood tests.

existed before named Gymnastics that slows down Parkinson’s disease.

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