Context: A solution based on the Synuclein alpha (SNCA) protein is more desirable for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Today, Parkinson’s is treated symptomatically by increasing the levels of dopamine or, more drastically, by grafting new neurons in place of dead ones.
About Synuclein alpha (SNCA):
- It is a mysterious protein. It is present in healthy cells. It is involved in age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
- SNCA is abundant in neurons, especially in dopaminergic neurons.
- It is found near the nuclei of these cells and at the junctions between two neurons.
- It’s capable of misfolding as well as forming filamentous structures. So unlike most other proteins, which take up predictable three-dimensional structures, SNCA can fold in multiple ways and misfolded proteins don’t function correctly.
- A nucleus is the control centre of the cell. It contains the cell’s genetic material, and is the seat of upkeep of this genetic material and its utilisation to make proteins.
- So it is logical that the accumulation of misfolded SNCA would render the nucleus dysfunctional and eventually kill it.
- Researchers associated SNCA with Parkinson’s disease.
- People with this disease lose neurons that communicate with each other using dopamine as a neurotransmitter in a part of their brains.
- These dopaminergic neurons have been found to contain aggregated masses of proteins called Lewy bodies and most of these proteins are SNCA.
- Researchers have reported SNCA in similar aggregates in the brains of people with other neurodegenerative diseases as well. But its presence is most prominent in brains with Parkinson’s.
- Many Parkinson’s disease researchers are focused on reducing the prevalence of SNCA in neurons as a therapeutic measure, but haven’t yet found one that has been approved.
- One solution has been to use a gene-silencing tool, like CRISPR-Cas9, at a precise location.
- Researchers have tried this method in cell cultures and model animals.
- But a significant challenge is to cross the blood-brain barrier, a liquid that alters the blood that goes into the brain, and which would also prevent a component CRISPR from passing through.
- Another solution is to stop SNCA from forming large aggregates but the process to achieve this is still being worked out.
- One solution has been to use a gene-silencing tool, like CRISPR-Cas9, at a precise location.
The success of any one of these methods will transform the way Parkinson’s disease is treated today.
About Parkinson’s Disease:
- Parkinson's disease (PD), is a long-term neurodegenerative disease of mainly the central nervous system that affects both the motor system and non-motor systems.
- The symptoms usually emerge slowly, and as the disease progresses, non-motor symptoms become more common.
- Symptoms: Tremor, slowness of movement, rigidity, and difficulty with balance. Parkinson's disease dementia, falls and neuropsychiatric problems such as sleep abnormalities, psychosis, mood swings, or behavioural changes may arise in advanced stages.
- Diagnosis is mainly based on signs and symptoms, usually motor-related, found via neurological examination, though medical imaging like neuromelanin MRI can support the diagnosis.
- Usual onset is in people over 60 years of age of whom about one percent are affected. In those younger than 50, it is termed early-onset PD.
- Treatment:
- No cure is known, and treatment aims to mitigate symptoms.
- Initial treatment typically includes L-DOPA, MAO-B inhibitors, or dopamine agonists.
- As the disease progresses, these medications become less effective and produce a side effect marked by involuntary muscle movements.
- Diet and certain forms of rehabilitation have shown some effectiveness at improving symptoms.
- Causes: The underlying cause of PD is unknown, yet is assumed to be influenced primarily by an interaction of genetic and environmental factors.
- Genetic: In a narrow sense, can be seen as a genetic disease; heritability is estimated to lie between 22 and 40 percent. Notable risk genes include SNCA, LRRK2.
- Environmental: Most noteworthy environmental factors include pesticide exposure and contact with heavy metals. Harmful heavy metals include mainly manganese, iron, lead, mercury, aluminium, and cadmium. On the other hand, magnesium shows neuroprotective features.
- Traumatic brain injury is also strongly implicated as a risk factor.
- Melanoma is documented to be associated with PD.
At the age of 66, my spouse was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. His symptoms included excruciating calf pain, muscular aches, tremors, slurred speech, frequent falls, loss of balance, and trouble standing up from a seated posture. After six months on Senemet, Siferol was given to him in place of the Senemet. It was also at this period that he was diagnosed with dementia. He began seeing hallucinations and became detached from reality. With the doctor's approval, we stopped giving him Siferol and chose to try the Natural Herbs Center PD-5 program, which we had previously investigated. After three months of therapy, he has made significant progress. The illness has been completely contained. There are no symptoms of persistent twitching, weakness, tremors, hallucinations, or muscle soreness. The PD-5 Protocol was obtained from natural herbs centre Though you still need to determine what works best for you, I thought I would share my husband's story in case it could be helpful. Greetings and prayers