2023-09-30 00:40:24
New Study Finds Link Between Compensation by Cerebral Cortex and Severity of Parkinson’s Disease
In a recent publication by the Radboud university medical center, researchers have discovered a significant connection between the compensation by the cerebral cortex and the severity of symptoms in Parkinson’s disease. The study suggests that patients can enhance this compensation through exercise, potentially slowing down the progression of the disease.
Parkinson’s disease is characterized by the progressive loss of cells in the brain that produce dopamine. This dopamine deficiency is typically managed through medication. However, previous research has shown that the degree of cell loss does not directly correlate with the severity of symptoms in Parkinson’s patients. This led the researchers at Radboud university medical center to explore alternative explanations.
Their investigation revealed that the cerebral cortex, the outer part of the brain, can compensate for the loss of dopamine-producing cells in Parkinson’s disease. The researchers found that the severity of symptoms is closely related to the level of compensation provided by the cerebral cortex. The more actively the cerebral cortex takes over tasks, the milder the symptoms and the better the cognitive function.
This study, for the first time, scientifically proves the existence of this compensatory mechanism in Parkinson’s disease. The conclusions are based on a study involving 353 people with Parkinson’s and 60 healthy individuals. Participants underwent brain tests while inside an MRI scanner, engaging in a computer game that placed cognitive strain on the brain. By analyzing the MRI scans, the researchers were able to pinpoint the specific areas of the brain that were active during the game.
The researchers observed that the basal ganglia, a brain structure rich in dopamine, showed significantly less activity in individuals with Parkinson’s compared to the healthy volunteers. The basal ganglia, located below the cerebral cortex, play a critical role in smooth movement and thinking. Damage to this area leads to the slowness of movement and thinking characteristic of Parkinson’s disease.
Moreover, the study found a clear link between the severity of symptoms in Parkinson’s and activity in the cerebral cortex. Individuals with milder symptoms exhibited more activity in the cerebral cortex, particularly in the areas involved in movement control, surpassing the activity levels of healthy volunteers. On the other hand, individuals with severe symptoms showed significantly less cerebral cortex activity compared to healthy individuals.
These findings open up new possibilities for treatment and lifestyle interventions in Parkinson’s disease. Rick Helmich, a neurologist at Radboud university medical center, emphasizes the importance of strengthening the compensation provided by the cerebral cortex. Previous studies have already shown that regular exercise helps alleviate symptoms and prevents shrinkage of the cerebral cortex. With this current study, researchers now understand why the cerebral cortex is so crucial in managing Parkinson’s disease.
The study, titled “Clinical severity in Parkinson’s disease is determined by decline in cortical compensation,” was published in the scientific journal Brain. The research was conducted by Martin E. Johansson, Ivan Toni, Roy P.C. Kessels, Bastiaan R. Bloem, and Rick C. Helmich.]
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