New Study Attempts to Interrupt Parkinson's Disease

Oxidized dopamine also interferes with lysosomes, the group also discovered that dopamine also damages the neurons’ mitochondria by increasing mitochondrial oxidant stress. These dysfunctional mitochondria led to increased oxidized dopamine levels, creating a vicious cycle. Krainc said that the mitochondrial and lysosomal pathways are two critical pathways in the development of the disease.

Knowing the effects of toxic cascade in neurons, the team started looking for ways to interrupt it. Krainc and his colleagues discovered that the dopamine also damaged the neurons’ mitochondria by increasing mitochondrial oxidant stress. These dysfunctional mitochondria led to increased oxidized dopamine levels.