In her work, the young scientist examined brain tissue of twelve deceased patients, six of them had suffered from Parkinson's before they died. These former patients had an increased concentration of the protein connexin-36. Connexin-36 is a transmembrane protein, forming so-called gap junctions, which makes it possible that neurons are able to exchange molecules directly with other neurons. This compound could be partly responsible for that it coms to a problematic synchronization of nerve cells if there is a lack of dopamin.
The findings of Dr. Schwab make an important contribution to the understanding of Parkinson's disease and could help to develop better treatment options for patients.
The researcher is now working at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf.
Source:
https://idw-online.de/en/news653945
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Wednesday, 15 June 2016 14:01
Are altered Gap junction proteins responsible for Parkinson? Featured
During her Ph. D. work at the University of Twente, Department of Applied Analysis and Biomedical Signal & System, Bettina Schwab has discovered an increased concentration of a particular protein, called connexin-36, in deceased Parkinson's patients. The protein could be the cause of a disturbed communication between brain cells, which causes movement problems in the Parkinson's disease, as is said in a current press release from the University of Trente.
Dr. rer. nat.
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