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Does retina play a role in Parkinson's Disease?
Subramaniam Mohana Devi1, Iyer Mahalaxmi2, Nair P Aswathy1
1Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Vision Research Foundation, Chennai, 600 006, India.
Acta Neurologica Belgica
|January 23, 2020
Summary
Parkinson's disease (PD) visual impairment stems from dopamine cell loss in the retina, linked to alpha-synuclein aggregation. Further research into retinal degeneration may offer new PD therapies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
- Pathology
Background:
- Visual disorder is a non-motor symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD), often appearing early.
- Dopamine (DA) cell loss in retinal layers contributes to visual disturbances and PD pathology.
- Phosphorylated alpha-synuclein (aSyn) aggregation in the retina causes DA reduction, leading to visual impairment in PD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the function and effects of DA degeneration in PD retinal cells.
- To explore the connection between aSyn, DA depletion, and visual problems in PD.
- To investigate the role of iron in aSyn aggregation within retinal and brain DA cells.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on DA degeneration in PD retinal cells.
- Analysis of studies on aSyn aggregation and its impact on retinal DA.
- Exploration of potential therapeutic targets for visual dysfunction in PD.
Main Results:
- Dopamine cell loss and alpha-synuclein aggregation in the retina are key factors in PD-related visual impairment.
- Iron is suggested to play a significant role in regulating aSyn aggregation in DA cells.
- Retinal degeneration in PD is an understudied area with potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target.
Conclusions:
- Understanding retinal dysfunction in PD is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment.
- Investigating the role of DA and aSyn in retinal degeneration may reveal novel therapeutic strategies for PD.
- Retinal degeneration in PD warrants further investigation as a potential biomarker and therapeutic avenue.
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