Neuromelanin in PD

[Canddy]

youtube.com/watch?v=Ox9FoPn...(Not working as expected?)

Check out this video on the possible role of neuromelanin in PD. A bit long but with a very interesting ending that involves the use of focused ultrasound in helping to rid the brain of excess neuromelanin that is found in persons with PD. Could this be the Holy Grail?

[felixned]

Thank you, Canddy. Very interesting post although it generated more questions than answers.

[Canddy in reply to felixned]

True true

[sharoncrayn]

ultrasound to remove excess and therefore flawed NM is a extremely daunting task. animals yes; humans very doubtful. flawed NM yes; all NM no way.

as context:

NM ultrasonography intervention (transcranial or TCS) is somewhat theoretical. nothing really new, new. basically used to detect markers of SN degeneration. (i.e. substantia nigra hyperechogenicity ).

the NM hypothesis? a link somehow exists between neuromelanin in the SNc and the special vulnerability of neuromelanin-containing neurons leading to too much cell death in Parkinson's disease.

pathway? no one really knows (does it become dysfunctional?) but somehow pigmented neurons become vulnerable to OS damage along the pathway. The old story: too much loss of the NM concentration and then the neuron degenerates and NM begins to screws things up even more leading to a neurodegeneration "cascade".

If you spent sometime in your career as a neuro cell biologist/radiologist studying catecholaminergic neurons, I"m sure you are following me.

NM concentration decreases and iron increases in the brain as PD progresses.

sharon

[Canddy in reply to sharoncrayn]

Thanks for putting context around this sharoncrayn - are you a neurobiologist? I am following you now. I am just a retired Big Pharma employee.

[Canddy in reply to Canddy]

Just looked at your profile which answers my question - thanks!

[sharoncrayn in reply to Canddy]

you are welcome