Targeting Pathogenic Mechanisms

Image by NCIIn the effort to identify a disease-modifying therapy for PD, significant research has focused on developing approaches that target the pathogenic mechanisms hypothesized to be responsible for the neurodegeneration and dysfunction observed in PD.  Approaches can focus on blocking degenerative processes or promoting neurotrophic processes.

Specific approaches include targeting dopamine metabolism, inflammation and immune responses, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, excitotoxicity, and protein handling and aggregation.