Posted on 10/12/2024 9:14:43 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
A research team is the first to reveal that a molecule in the brain—ophthalmic acid—unexpectedly acts like a neurotransmitter similar to dopamine in regulating motor function, offering a new therapeutic target for Parkinson's.
The researchers observed that ophthalmic acid binds to and activates calcium-sensing receptors in the brain, reversing the movement impairments of Parkinson's mouse models for more than 20 hours.
The disabling neurogenerative disease affects millions worldwide over the age of 50. L-dopa, the front-line drug for treatment, acts by replacing the lost dopamine and has a duration of two to three hours. While initially successful, the effect of L-dopa fades over time, and its long-term use leads to dyskinesia—involuntary muscle movements in the patient's face, arms, legs and torso.
"Our findings present a groundbreaking discovery that possibly opens a new door in neuroscience by challenging the more-than-60-year-old view that dopamine is the exclusive neurotransmitter in motor function control," said Amal Alachkar.
"Remarkably, ophthalmic acid not only enabled movement, but also far surpassed L-dopa in sustaining positive effects."
Alachkar began her investigation into the complexities of motor function beyond the confines of dopamine more than two decades ago. In this study, the team conducted comprehensive metabolic examinations of hundreds of brain molecules to identify which are associated with motor activity in the absence of dopamine. After thorough behavioral, biochemical and pharmacological analyses, ophthalmic acid was confirmed as an alternative neurotransmitter.
"One of the critical hurdles in Parkinson's treatment is the inability of neurotransmitters to cross the blood-brain barrier, which is why L-DOPA is administered to patients to be converted to dopamine in the brain," Alachkar said. "We are now developing products that either release ophthalmic acid in the brain or enhance the brain's ability to synthesize it as we continue to explore the full neurological function of this molecule."
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
I’d probably add a little glycine to the mix, and glycine and NAC help make glutathione, for which this molecule is the same, but removes cysteine for L-2-aminobutyrate.
Wonder if Michael J Fox would try it.
I was diagnosed with Parkinsons this past May. I’ve likely had it at least two years. My Neurologist also diagnosed me with Functional Myoclonic Jerks {seizures} I’ve had since 1994 no one else could diagnose. I figured it out in about 2000. But other doctors had no idea what I was talking about. It and Parkinsons are two different movement disorders.
I would start eating those foods with maybe 500 mg or more of glycine added to the same meal, and see if you get some added benefit.
I can handle all but Liver LOL
I was diagnosed 2 years ago.
Ping
Ping
I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s over six years ago. It’s not a fun disease...
I was having tremors in my right hand a year before my primary care doctor finally referred me to a Neurologist another 9 months out.
No indeed it isn't. Before they got me on meds my hand would shake when I was trying to talk. That's under control for now for the most part.
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