Is Parkinson's an Autoimmune Disease?

Parkinson's is a disease that decreases and inhibits normal mobility and posture. It is caused primarily by accelerated deterioration of dopaminergic cells. Dopaminergic cells produce the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is essential to the way the brain controls movements. Recent research has shown that autoimmunity, in which the immune system attacks healthy cells, may be associated with Parkinson's.

T-Cells

• According to "International Journal of Neuroscience," both disruption of the function of T-cells, which are critical to the immune response, and the presence of autoimmune antibodies are seen in some Parkinson's patients.

Vasoactive Neuropeptides

• Particular vasoactive neuropeptides (neurotransmitters that regulate blood vessel dilation and dopamine distribution) can be affected by autoimmunity, and compromised receptors for these cells have been shown in Parkinson's.

Inflammation

• The American Academy of Neurology published a population-based clinical study showing that autoimmune diseases increase the activity of inflammatory regulators, which can cause decay of dopaminergic neurons--the root cause of Parkinson's.

Pathway of Inflammatory Mediators

• The pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP), which prevents neurotoxicity, and vasoactive neuropeptides (VP) do not properly regulate inflammatory mediators in Parkinson's patients.

Prevention

• Research on the role of autoimmunity role in Parkinson's, if verified, may lead to pharmacological targets to prevent the disease in the future.