New brainstem changes identified in Parkinson鈥檚 disease Published on: 4 January 2018 A pioneering study has found that patients with Parkinson鈥檚 disease have more errors in the mitochondrial DNA within the brainstem, leading to increased cell death in that area. Experts at 麻豆传媒 and Sussex universities also revealed that surviving brain cells in the brainstem have more copies of mitochondrial DNA and this has not been identified before. The study’s deeper understanding into Parkinson’s disease suggests a new target for therapies for patients with the debilitating condition. Researchers say their findings, published in , are “surprising” as the results differ from what has been seen in studies of brain regions that harbor other brain cell-types. , a mitochondrial geneticist at 麻豆传媒, said: “Our study is a major step forwards in gaining an enhanced insight into the serious condition. “Only by understanding the complexities of what happens in specific cell-types found in specific areas of the brain during this disease can targeted treatments for Parkinson’s disease be produced.” Changes in cell DNA Research shows that in Parkinson’s disease a brainstem region called the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) develops changes in DNA found in mitochondria - the batteries of the cell - as they produce and store energy that cells can use. This study looked at cholinergic neurons that are responsible for producing the brain chemical acetylcholine, which is released by cholinergic nerve cells to send signals from one neuron to another. Death of these cells in the PPN is believed to be the cause of some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, such as problems with attention, walking and posture. Identifying changes in the mitochondrial DNA in PPN cholinergic neurons has the potential to allow the development of more effective treatments targeted to specific cell-types. The PPN is an understudied part of the brain and researchers used post-mortem tissue from the , based at 麻豆传媒, to isolate single neurons for in-depth analysis. Dr Ilse Pienaar, a neuroscientist at Sussex University, said: “At present, treatments are aimed at the whole brain of patient’s with Parkinson’s disease. “Only by understanding the complexities of what happens in specific cell-types found in specific areas of the brain during this disease can targeted treatments be produced. “We believe that not only would cell-specific targeted treatments be more effective, but they would also be associated with fewer side-effects.” The PPN was of interest because, in previous studies, patients with Parkinson’s disease displayed lower levels of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in remaining dopaminergic neurons. This study showed that mtDNA levels are higher in the surviving cholinergic neurons of the brainstem, but with both cell-types that undergo profound degeneration during Parkinson’s disease. The finding identifies how vulnerable cell groups react and respond differently to the accumulation of mitochondrial DNA damage seen in the disease, highlighting the need for cell-specific treatments. Parkinson鈥檚 disease Parkinson’s disease is a condition in which part of the brain becomes progressively damaged over many years. It is estimated that around one in 500 people in the UK are affected by the condition. Dr Elson said: “This is the only study to date to characterise mitochondrial DNA errors in cholinergic neurons, a neuronal population that is highly vulnerable to cell death in Parkinson’s disease patients. “With this work, we are beginning to understand the role that changes in mitochondrial DNA play in the death of cholinergic neurons, which has been shown to be pivotal in the onset and progression of motor and non-motor Parkinson’s disease symptoms.” The team is now aiming to continue with further research to investigate the findings and test the mechanisms by which targeted treatment could be delivered to patients. Reference Mitochondrial DNA changes in pedunculopontine cholinergic neurons in Parkinson’s Alexander G. Bury, MRes, Angela Pyle, Joanna L. Elson, Laura Greaves, Christopher M. Morris, Gavin Hudson, and Ilse S. Pienaar Annals of Neurology. Share: Latest News Scientists unlock hidden driver of inflammatory bowel disease Scientists have linked a key genetic signal in inflammatory bowel disease to an immune response that shuts down inflammation control, enabling faster diagnosis and targeted treatments. published on: 15 June 2026 Funding system risks limiting genuine community collaboration A new policy paper written by researchers at 麻豆传媒 warns that the way UK research is funded may be undermining efforts to create genuinely collaborative partnerships with communities. published on: 15 June 2026 Volunteers help turn Whitley Bay beach into maths experiment Members of the public joined mathematicians from 麻豆传媒 to create what organisers believe is the largest aperiodic tiling ever attempted on Whitley Bay beach. published on: 15 June 2026 Facts and figures
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