Ageing must become central to Parkinson’s research, experts say

Ageing should be central to Parkinson’s research, experts argue, saying it has been sidelined as studies focused on genetics and single disease mechanisms.

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition that affects movement and can cause tremors, stiffness and balance problems.

It affects about one million people in the US and more than ten million worldwide, with numbers rising as populations age, particularly in developed countries.

Only around 10 per cent of cases are directly linked to family history.

Most are thought to arise from a mix of advancing age, genetic vulnerability, environmental exposures and lifestyle factors.

A team led by Dr Julie Andersen, a professor at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging in the US and senior author of the study, says many age-related brain changes resemble those seen early in Parkinson’s.

These include mitochondrial dysfunction, where the cell’s energy-producing structures stop working properly; impaired autophagy, the process cells use to clear damaged components; increased inflammation; and cellular senescence, where cells stop dividing and release harmful substances.

“Many age-related changes in the brain mirror those seen in the early stages of Parkinson’s,” she said.

“The research community needs to approach this disease holistically and ageing is the place to start.”

“When we reviewed studies that include ageing, we concluded that the influence of ageing on Parkinson’s is subtle, emerges gradually and likely interacts synergistically with other contributing factors,” Andersen added.

The researchers suggest this gradual, cumulative effect may help explain why Parkinson’s usually develops later in life and why it varies so widely between individuals.

Andersen and colleagues have also produced a research road map, including guidance on mouse models for experiments where ageing is treated as a central part of how Parkinson’s develops.

The plan also aims to standardise methods, encourage collaboration between laboratories and make better use of limited research resources.

“As a group we recognise that the complexity and diversity of Parkinson’s models, combined with the lengthy nature of ageing studies, present challenges that require substantial resources and innovative approaches,” Andersen said.

“Our work is aimed at making it easier for researchers to include ageing as a critical element of their efforts to tackle this disease.”