Title: Intensive Exercise Shown to Slow Progression of Parkinson’s Disease, New Study Reports
Subtitle: Catholic University and A. Gemelli IRCCS Polyclinic Foundation research unveils previously unknown mechanism for potential non-pharmacological treatments
Date: [Insert Date]
Neuroscientists at the Catholic University, Rome Campus, and the A. Gemelli IRCCS Polyclinic Foundation have made a groundbreaking discovery regarding the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Their study, published in the journal Science Advances, has revealed that intensive exercise can significantly slow the progression of the disease by improving brain plasticity and neuronal survival.
Parkinson’s disease affects millions of people worldwide, causing a gradual and progressive dysfunction of neurons that control motor functions. Traditional treatments for the disease focus on medication, but this latest research offers a new avenue for non-pharmacological interventions.
The team, led by doctors Gioia Marino and Federica Campanelli, employed a multidisciplinary approach to study the effects of exercise on Parkinson’s disease. They found that intensive treadmill training sessions reduced the spread of pathological alpha-synuclein aggregates, which are known to contribute to the deterioration of motor control.
Furthermore, the study demonstrated that physical activity promotes the survival of dopamine-releasing neurons, which play a crucial role in the brain’s ability to adapt and change. This survival is key in maintaining motor control and visuospatial learning, both of which are typically impaired in Parkinson’s disease.
“Our research team is involved in a clinical trial to test whether intensive exercise can identify new markers to monitor the disease progression slowing in early-stage patients and the profile of the progression of the disease,” explained Professor Paolo Calabresi, the lead researcher. He added that investigating the involvement of glial cells, specialized cells that support neurons, would allow them to uncover further mechanisms behind the observed beneficial effects.
The findings have important implications for the development of new treatments for Parkinson’s disease. By understanding the biological mechanisms through which exercise impacts brain plasticity and neuronal survival, researchers may be able to develop non-drug therapies that can work alongside existing medication.
The research was supported by the Fresco Parkinson Institute, New York University School of Medicine, The Marlene and Paolo Fresco Institute for Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders, the Ministry of Health, and MIUR. These organizations provided funding to explore the neuroprotective effects of exercise and shed light on the interplay between physical activity, brain function, and disease progression.
As the research continues, the team hopes to uncover more about the intricate relationship between exercise, neuroinflammation, and neuroimmune components in Parkinson’s disease. By doing so, they aim to provide clinicians with new tools to monitor and slow the progression of the disease in its early stages.
Parkinson’s disease has long been a debilitating condition, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. With this latest study, neuroscientists are optimistic that intensive exercise can become a key aspect of a holistic treatment approach, improving the quality of life for those living with the disease.