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The source of this article is the Sun Herald: http://tinyurl.com/dnb89 Posted on Sun, Apr. 17, 2005 UA team takes step in finding treatment for Parkinson's disease THE ASSOCIATED PRESS TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - University of Alabama researchers have found a possible method of halting the onset of Parkinson's disease that affects about 1 million Americans. An article published last week in the Journal of Neuroscience details findings by Guy and Kim Caldwell and doctoral student Sonsong Cao that show a chemical process that may help stop the spread of Parkinson's. "We're very excited about this article," Guy Caldwell said. "It's a significant step." He said UA has already applied for national and international patents for treatments that could come from the findings. The university is hoping to hold the patent if the Caldwells or other researchers develop a drug. Guy Caldwell said their research has attracted the interest of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Parkinson's disease is caused by the deterioration of some the brain's nerve cells. When functioning normally, cells produce the chemical dopamine that acts as a messenger between brain sections. The communication results in smooth muscle movements. Proteins in nerve cells must fold properly to work. Dopamine production is affected when the proteins begin misfolding. A lack of dopamine means nerves do not function properly, causing a loss in the ability to control body movements. It is not exactly known why proteins misfold, although genetics or outside toxins such as pesticides play a role. But researchers agree that the disease is a result of aging. The Caldwells, Cao and former graduate student Christopher Gelwix found in the brain a protein called torsin, which protects against misfolding. "It has the capacity to protect (nerve cells) from dying," Caldwell said. "It protects against the most definitive form of Parkinson's, and that is genetic." Because our bodies do not produce enough torsin, the trick is finding a method to encourage its production. Caldwell said it is possible that people could some day take a pill that would increase torsin production, but there is no current treatment to reverse the disease. William Langston, founder and president of the Parkinson's Institute in California, said the microscopic worm the Caldwells used for testing is important in moving Parkinson's research forward. Langston said the Caldwells used the C. elegans, which shares half of a human being's genetic materials, to show a link between production of an abnormal form of one protein and the death of dopamine-producing cells. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn