Energy-Producing Enzyme Fuels the Brain with Promise for Treating Parkinsons Disease

Posted onSeptember 12th, 2024byDr. Monica M. Bertagnolli

InParkinsons disease, neurons in parts of the brain gradually weaken and die, leading people to experience worsening problems with movement and other symptoms. While the causes of this disease arent fully known, studies have suggested the Parkinsons brain lacks fuel to power dopamine-producing neurons that are essential for movement. When too many of those neurons are lost, Parkinsons disease symptoms appear. But what if there was a way to boost energy levels in the brain and stop the neurodegenerative process in its tracks?

While the findings are preliminary, an NIH-supported study reported inScience Advances takes an encouraging step toward this goal. The key element, according to the new work, is an energy-producing enzyme known as phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK1). In fact, these latest preclinical findings in models of the disease suggest that boosting this enzyme in the brain even slightly may be enough to restore energy and afford some protection against Parkinsons disease.