Researchers use light to restore mobility in mice with Parkinson's symptoms

12 July 2010

New research published in the journal Nature last week shows that switching on specific nerve cells inside the brain can restore mobility in mice with Parkinson’s-like movement problems.

Researchers at the Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease (GIND) and Stanford University in the US have developed a new technique which uses light to stimulate the activity of different groups of nerve cells.

What the research team did

The researchers used genetic techniques to make specific nerve cells in the brains of mice sensitive to light.

Then, by shining light on these genetically modified nerve cells the researchers were able to investigate how two pathways – 'stop' and 'go' – work together to control movement.

They found that activating the 'stop' pathway caused the mice to develop movement problems similar to those experienced by people with Parkinson's. The mice moved more slowly, had difficulty getting going and sometimes froze mid-movement.

However, just by switching on the 'go' pathway, the researchers were able to completely restore the mobility of the mice.

Activating the 'go' pathway was also able to overcome the movement problems of mice that had been given chemicals that destroy the nerve cells lost in Parkinson's.

Exciting possibilities for Parkinson's treatments

Dr Kieran Breen, our Director of Research and Development, comments:

"Understanding how complex networks of cells in the brain work together to co-ordinate movements will pave the way for innovative treatments for Parkinson's.

"This research is still at a very early stage, but presents exciting possibilities for Parkinson's treatments.

"Knowing which brain areas and types of cells to target could improve current treatments, like deep brain stimulation, that work by altering brain activity."

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