Relationship Between Parkinson’s And Autoimmune Diseases

If the relationship between Parkinson’s and autoimmune diseases is confirmed, the symptoms could be reduced and the treatment of this degenerative disease could be favored

Parkinson’s is a degenerative disease that affects the brain. A cure for this condition has not yet been found, but research is ongoing.

One of them suggests a relationship with autoimmune diseases. We will tell you about it in this article.

Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s is characterized by causing a chronic disorder in the part responsible for controlling the motor system. It manifests itself with the gradual loss of ability to control a movement.

The onset of the disease occurs when the cells of the midbrain deteriorate or die. However, the scientific community still does not know the exact cause. There are certain ideas regarding the possible triggers of Parkinson’s, among which are trauma and certain medications, without forgetting the hereditary factor.

Characteristics of Parkinson’s

Despite the unknown main cause, this disease is more common than is believed. It has some characteristics of its own, which must be evaluated by a specialist.

Among these we find:

• Slowness when performing body movements.
• Stiffness in the muscular system.
• Tremor of rest.

Parkinson’s affects about 1 percent of the population over 60 years of age. Likewise, it can also be presented by people over 40 years of age, although in a lower percentage compared to those over 65.

Parkinson’s symptoms

The symptomatological picture of the disease in question is progressive. It starts out mild and increases over time. The onset of Parkinson’s can be seen in something as simple as the way you write.

The characteristics already exposed share a relationship with the symptoms. So here are some similarities. The most common are:

• Spontaneous and automatic loss of movement (bradykinesia).
• Instability, lack of balance and body posture.
• Stiffness, especially in the extremities, lower and upper.
• Constipation.
• Depression.
• Sleep disorders, such as nightmares or insomnia.
• Difficulty eating food (both chewing and swallowing).
• Problems detecting the aroma of things.

Parkinson’s and autoimmune diseases

There are various theories that revolve around this disease. One of the strongest is the relationship with the immune system.

As we have indicated before, the main cause is not yet established. For this reason, the scientific community has focused on getting results.

What are autoimmune diseases?

Autoimmune diseases are various conditions produced when the immune system itself attacks healthy cells in the body. Their characteristics vary depending on the area of ​​the body where they appear.

Genetic inheritance is the most influential factor in these diseases. However, there is no scientific evidence to support it as an exact cause.

Relationship between Parkinson’s and the immune system

For several decades, Parkinson’s has caused a stir in the medical and scientific community due to its possible causes. For this reason, different studies have been carried out.

It was detached from autoimmune diseases in the first place, but studies have yielded unlikely results. And it is that, apparently, they have a greater relationship than one might believe.

According to a study conducted by Columbia University in the United States, the immune system detects cells destroyed by Parkinson’s and attacks them:

• “Two fragments of alpha-synuclein, a protein that accumulates in brain cells of affected patients, can activate T cells associated with autoimmune attacks,” said David Sulzer, director of the research.

Conclution

Undoubtedly, studies on this relationship will continue to clarify the issue. However, the progress made so far is significant.

Taking into account that Parkinson’s is an incurable disease, to this day, its possible relationship with immune problems could favor its treatment. One of the closest methods would be immunotherapy. Through this, the symptoms in patients with this neurodegenerative disease could be reduced.

What is immunotherapy?

It is a treatment designed to stimulate the immune system and whose main function is to fight cancer. It is also distinguished as a biological therapy and, despite stimulating natural defenses, it consists of substances produced in laboratories.

One of the best known are monoclonal antibodies. These are manufactured in a biological laboratory and have different objectives, depending on the desired results. Thus, they can slow down the function of the immune system, detect cancer cells and treat them, or target specific components.

Other types of immunotherapy

In addition to monoclonal antibodies, there are other ways to carry out immunotherapy:

• Non-specific immunotherapy.
• Oncolytic virus therapy.
• T cell therapies.
• Cancer vaccines.

The hope is that this new research will shed more light on the origin of this neurodegenerative disease. Thus, we will be closer to your treatment.