PD and the Blood Brain Barrier

[JonStamford]

I wanted to draw your attention to an article on the main Parkinson's Movement site by Ron Hutton.

parkinsonsmovement.com/2012...

Ron puts forward an interesting idea and we would welcome your thoughts on it.

[drew410]

A very interesting piece. I was particularly drawn to the research im Melbourne in which BBB can be measured using radio=opaque tracers in the blood stream utilising "special scanners".

Are they referring to DT Scanners? They are a bit vauge on that. Also the fact that it possibly could be repaired? Again a bit vauge.

Sounds promising though. Look forward to your reply John

[shasha]

A FACINATING PIECE AND ALSO VERY THOUHT PROVOKING AS I BELIEVE I HAVE A DIFFERENT BRAIN TO OTHERS - I.E I DONT GET THE BENEFIT OF ALL THE STUFF I AM TAKING - DONT KNOW IF THIS MAKES SENSE TO ANYONE ELSE ?

[FundMyMR]

Permeability of BBB may be a risk factor, but it's a bit of a shortcut to single it out as a potential cause. For example genetic forms of Parkinsonism are more likely to depend on more direct pathways. The bright side is that if there are people who are affected because of a more permeable BBB, they should also be able to better react to oral medical treatment.

There's a strong possibility that even idopathic PD may be the result of different pathways. Personalized medecine advocates that it would make sense to screen people on the pathway that lead to the disease, and then consider treatment according to that.

The BBB permeability is an interesting idea, but I'm not sure I see direct actions that can be considered in the near future.

[Court]

This made interesting reading, especially as it was all new to me. Anything that helps to find a link. however, tenuous, can only be good. Will be interested to seeh what happens next.

[jillfd]

Intriguing hypothesis. This could have merit. Every good idea deserves consideration. I believe that as the research goes on , they will find different causes of PD, and there with be subtypes assigned and different treatment protocols.

I've just received my 23 and me packet and the results will be interesting.

I just read the e-mail they sent today showing a commonality in personality type amongst those that have sent their samples in and have PD. This could just be because of the type of person who would take the time to participate but the ramifications are fascinating. It did describe me to a "T".

[Ronhutton]

A recent publication by Dr Egle Shalito et al, tends to confirm many of the points in my article.

pnas.org/content/110/3/799....

which states

"Neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s

disease, and Parkinson disease, compromise

the blood–brain barrier, allowing

the inappropriate passage

of molecules and cells

into the brain with deleterious

effects"

I have also written to Dr Solito to get her permission to post the letter she sent me in reply to an earlier letter I sent. Dr Solito has also referred my paper to Professor Joan Abbot, a leading expert in the BBB.