Antioxidant depletion associated with Parkinson’s disease

Researchers have found that mice which suffer from depletion in the antioxidant glutathione in dopamine-producing neurons developed nerve damage symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in humans.

Scientists from the Buck Institute also found that mice with glutathione depletion at an early age did not show sings of nerve damage while older mice developed a significant loss of dopaminergic neurons related to PD.

The researchers confirmed that this observation highlighted the association between ageing and PD.

Julie Anderson, who led the study, said that the data suggested healthy glutathione levels could be critical for the protection of neurons associated with PD from neurodegeneration

“This work also points to glutathione replacement as a possible therapeutic avenue for PD and other related disorders,” she added.

Previous studies have demonstrated that depletion of naturally occurring antioxidants in the affected areas of the brain is an early sign of PD.

However, researchers claim that this latest study shows that glutathione depletion may be a causal factor in the disorder.

Earlier this month, Chinese researchers suggested that green tea may help protect brain cells against the risk of Parkinson’s disease.