Parkinson’s Diseases is a degenerative condition that affects the brain and is not too uncommon in our society. In fact, it affects approximately 4 in 1000 people in Australia; with an increasing ratio of 1:100 in people aged 60 and over (State of Victoria, 2009). This condition results from the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells, and although it is not fatal, it affects the motor movement of the body. This may cause a slowing of physical movement, or more severely a loss of control over the body. However, recent studies have shown that the omega-3 fatty acid - docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), can protect brain cells and thus, promote brain cell survival. This observation may effectively lead to a cure of not only Parkinson’s Disease, but also other related neurodegenerative disorders, such as Huntington’s, Alzheimer's and even Retinitis Pigmentosa (eye condition that leads to vision loss).
In most neurodegenerative diseases (for example Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease), proteins are misfolded due to a defective gene. This leads to the eventual death of the cell (as proteins cannot move out of the cell). Likewise, in Spinocerebellar Ataxia - a disorder that affects speech, eye movement and hand co ordinations, the production of misfolded proteins is induced by a defective Ataxin-1 gene. Dr. Nicolas Bazan, Ernest C. and Yvette C. carried out an experiment on a cell model with a mutated Ataxin-1 gene, and found that neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1) (a naturally-occurring in the human brain) molecules are capable of “rescuing” the dying cells. Furthermore, this neuroprotectin molecule is derived from the omega-3 fatty acid (structure shown on right). Through this innovative research, it is can be seen that neuroprotectin D1 may be possible method in combating degenerative diseases in the future. This may lead to cures that have long been regarded as “terminal”, and give rise to a brighter future in the field of medical science.
Main Source -
Capo, L. (2009). Fish Oil Protects Against Disease like Parkinson’s. Retrieved 21 April, 2009. From http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/146649.php
Other References –
Better Health Channel – Victorian Government (2009), Parkinson’s Disease. Retrieved 21 April, 2009. from http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/BHCV2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Parkinson's_disease_explained?OpenDocument
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (2009), Parkinson’s Disease. Accessed on 22 April, 2009. From
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinsons_disease/parkinsons_disease.htm
images from
http://www.myvisiontest.com/img/upload/fish-oil-supplement-761863.jpg
http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/wda0645l.jpg
http://www.3dchem.com/imagesofmolecules/dha.jpg
