美国研究人员22日在Science杂志网络版上报告说,他们找到了帕金森病的发病机理,将来有望开发出治疗帕金森病的新药物。
美国霍华德·休斯医学研究所的苏珊·林德奎斯特和南希·博尼尼与同事合作研究发现,大脑中一个关键的细胞生化途径如果出现缺陷,就会导致分泌多巴胺的神经细胞死亡。多巴胺是一种神经递质,脑内多巴胺缺乏,就会出现震颤、僵直、运动迟缓等一系列帕金森病症状。此外,她们还利用几种帕金森病的动物模型,找到了一种“拯救”濒死神经细胞的新方法。
林德奎斯特指出,这一研究成果可以帮助人们寻找治疗帕金森病等神经退行性疾病的新方法,加快新药的开发进程。
参考资料:
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Further Readings:
Brownlee, C. 2005. Pumping out hope: Stem cells secrete brain-preserving protein. Science News 168(Dec. 24):403. Available to subscribers at http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20051224/fob2.asp.
______. 2005. Inner-brain electrode may curb depression. Science News 167(March 12):174. Available to subscribers at http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20050312/note14.asp.
Seppa, N. 2002. Imaging Parkinson's. Science News 162(Dec. 14):382. Available to subscribers at http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20021214/note14.asp.