Researchers Neutralize Parkinson's Dopamine Killers

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on Monday November 9, 2009 @08:02AM from the knowing-is-half-the-battle dept.

futurity.org writes with news that Iowa State researchers have made a breakthrough that could eventually lead to a cure for Parkinson's. Identifying the protein that kills the dopamine-producing cells in the brain has allowed the researchers to disable it and could be the first step in the development of new treatments. "Now, Kanthasamy’s group is looking for additional compounds that also can serve to neutralize protein kinase-C. By identifying more compounds that perform the function of neutralizing kinase-C, researchers are more likely to locate one that works well and has few side effects. This discovery is expected to provide new treatment options to stop the progression of the disease or even cure it. 'Once we find the compound, we need to make sure it’s safe. If everything goes well, it could take about 10 years, and then we might be able to see something that will truly make a difference in the lives of people with this disorder,' says Kanthasamy."

2 of 105 comments (clear)

Re:huh? by icebike · 2009-11-09 08:19 · Score: 5, Insightful

It might do it for you if you had the disease.
If the side effects are more tolerable than the disease itself most people would opt to use the medicine. Waiting for perfect solutions has never really worked, especially for diseases that slowly rob you of any ability to manage your daily life.

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Sig Battery depleted. Reverting to safe mode.
Re:Hmm, how safe is safe enough? by sonnejw0 · 2009-11-09 11:30 · Score: 5, Informative

Protein Kinase C is a key enzyme activated by many very different pathways involved in many different functions across the board. Blocking it will affect innumerable systems.

Saying Protein Kinase C is the key to neutralizing Parkinson's Diseases is like saying Money is the key to the Financial Crisis. ... Duh.

The clinical effects of Parkinson's Disease are the result of neuron death. You can't reverse the effects. Even if you induce neuronal growth, the brain will have to relearn the connections it needs to make, which took a lifetime to form. Forget about playing the piano again. You'll have to relearn to play (although you'll still have the conceptual knowledge).