Key Findings
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. It is associated with the ongoing degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and the formation of Lewy bodies that contain α-synuclein. These pathological changes lead to abnormalities of motor symptoms (tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia) and non-motor symptoms (cognitive decline, sleep abnormalities, psychiatric abnormalities). The pathogenesis of PD is complex and multifactorial, involving interconnected mechanisms such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, impaired autophagy, ferroptosis, and genetic factors. To develop effective therapeutic interventions, these pathways need to be understood. Current treatments, such as levodopa and deep-brain stimulation (DBS), are symptom-based and do not break disease progression. Thus, considerable research efforts have been geared towards finding disease-modifying therapeutic strategies. Natural bioactive compounds, gene-based therapies, stem cell-based therapies, and nanotechnology-assisted drug delivery systems are promising alternatives as suggested by recent advances. Antioxidant compounds like curcumin, resveratrol, and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) show promising antioxidant and neuroprotective effects, and nanomedicine provides boosted delivery to the brain and targeted drug distribution. In future clinical applications, these new strategies could help to more effectively and permanently manage PD.
Why This Matters for Body-Mind Practice
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Source
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