Investigating Immunomodulating Factors and Their Role in Treatment for Parkinson's Disease

de Lange, Julia H. E. (2020) Investigating Immunomodulating Factors and Their Role in Treatment for Parkinson's Disease. Bachelor's Thesis, Biology.

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Abstract

With no cure available, Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex disease and the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. Displaying both motor and non-motor symptoms, PD is an invasive disease for both patient and caretakers. Hitherto, the cause of PD is attributed to the death of dopaminergic neurons (DANs) in the substantia nigra (SN) in the basal ganglia, as the death of these neurons is the cause of tremors, muscle rigidity and other distinctive PD symptoms. DANs produce dopamine, a compound of vital importance in signal transmission in the brain. DAN loss can be attributed to a variety of cellular processes: microglia activation, which also causes excessive cytokine production (tumour necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, and more), and alpha-synuclein aggregates forming Lewy bodies, which leads to oxidative stress and mitochondrial impairment. All three mentioned cytokines have proven to aid the pro-inflammatory signal released by activated M1 microglia or astrocytes, however neuroprotective responses are also witnessed by M2 microglia, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. This review also describes current available treatments amongst them levodopa/carbidopa use, and deep brain stimulation. Prospects of the potential new PD treatment agents phloretin, sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and cystamine/cysteamine are also discussed briefly. Concluding that PD is a complex disease with an interesting pathology, further research remains necessary to provide a cure by understanding

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis)
Supervisor name:	Eisel, U.L.M.
Degree programme:	Biology
Thesis type:	Bachelor's Thesis
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	26 Feb 2020 12:54
Last Modified:	26 Feb 2020 12:54
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/21601

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