Could a virus be a future treatment for Parkinson's?

22 December 2011

New research published this week in the Journal of Experimental Medicine suggests that injections of a molecule produced by a virus may have great potential for developing treatments that can slow, stop or even reverse Parkinson's.

Viruses are the culprits behind many human infectious diseases - such as the common cold and HIV.

But their ability to get into our cells and affect the way they work makes them an attractive target for scientists who can manipulate them to treat conditions like Parkinson's.

In this new study - funded by the Michael J. Fox Foundation - researchers showed that injections of a tiny viral molecule called p137 protected rats from nerve cell loss and improved their mobility.

What the researchers found

The research team, led by Dr Roger Barker (pictured right) and Professor John Sinclair at the University of Cambridge, found that rats injected with the p137 molecule:

• had increased numbers of dopamine-producing nerve cells inside their brains - both before and after being given chemicals that selectively kill these cells
• performed better in tests measuring their movement

Crucially these positive effects were achieved without triggering a potentially dangerous immune reaction.

Dr Roger Barker is also leading a number of research projects funded by Parkinson's UK.

A totally new approach to Parkinson's

This cutting-edge study shows that a tiny viral molecule may have great potential for developing treatments that can actually protect the nerve cells affected in Parkinson's - something no current treatments can do.

It seems that the viral molecule helps to protect the vulnerable nerve cells by improving the health of their mitochondria - the tiny energy-producing batteries that power our cells.

Parkinson's UK-funded researchers highlighted problems with the mitochondria back in the 1980s. But so far no treatments have been developed that can tackle this problem.

These results show exciting promise. But further research is needed to investigate whether this viral therapy may provide similar benefits to people with Parkinson's.

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