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by Health News Team • Oct 12th, 2009 • Category: Cholesterol, True Health News A new study has found a derivative of cholesterol is necessary for brain cell formation. It’s a finding that researchers say has big implications for the fight against Parkinson’s Disease. Researchers at Sweden’s Karolinska Institute say tests on mice prove that the formation of dopamine-producing neurons, the type of cells that die in Parkinson’s, is dependent on the activation of a specific receptor in the brain by an oxidised form of cholesterol called oxysterol. "Oxysterol contributes to a safer and better cultivation of dopamine-producing cells, which is a great advancement since it increases the possibility of developing new treatments for Parkinson’s disease," said Professor Ernest Arenas of the Karolinska Institute. Researchers hope their findings will one day make it possible to replace dead cells in the brains of Parkinson’s patients with transplanted cultivated dopamine-producing cells. Such cells can also be used to test new Parkinson’s drugs. According to the Mayo Clinic, nutritional supplements and therapies have also been helpful in treating the symptoms of Parkinson’s. Simple physical activities such as walking and swimming as well as physical therapy and soothing massage can provide relief from muscle rigidity and have other neuromuscular benefits ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn