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Parkinson’s disease is one of the most puzzling and complex neurodegenerative conditions. Different avenues of research focus on a variety of insights while searching for a cure, and recent findings correlating with Huntington’s disease offer an exciting connection between patients. They may lead to valuable improvements in current Parkinson’s treatment and provide direction for new ways to address both conditions.

The Connection Between Parkinson’s & Huntington’s Disease

The research, published in Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, revealed commonalities between the brains of deceased patients with Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease. Like Parkinson’s, Huntington’s disease leads to a significant decrease in patient quality of life. It begins by destroying nerve cells in the brain, ultimately leading to an inability to function physically or mentally. There is no cure, and the condition is often fatal as the brain becomes unable to function.

Genetic Observations

parkinsons-disease-connecticut-advocates-for-parkinsonsRecent findings in patients with each disease speak specifically to how the central nervous system and inflammatory pathways respond to neurodegenerative diseases. By analyzing correlating genes in both patients, researchers were able to develop a more detailed understanding of how Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease can be treated similarly in a clinical setting. These genetic observations of central nervous system neurodegenerative disease activity may lead to additional applications for conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. This, in turn, can lead to a more unified research effort and new clinical hypotheses for treatment options.

 

If you or a loved one has Parkinson’s disease, turn to the volunteers at Connecticut Advocates for Parkinson’s in Windsor, CT. They offer a variety of services and resources, including guidance on clinical trials for Parkinson’s and will help ensure that people with this disease can maintain a comfortable quality of life. Call (860) 266-6040 to speak with a member of their team and visit their website and Facebook to learn more about their services.

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