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S-methylation in Parkinson's disease
Y Nakagawa-Hattori1, T Hattori, T Kondo
1Department of Neurology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Neurology
|December 1, 1995
Summary
Thiolmethyltransferase (TMT) activity was measured in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and controls. This study found no significant difference in TMT activity, suggesting low S-methylation capacity is not a PD risk factor in Japanese individuals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
Background:
- Previous research suggested a link between reduced thiolmethyltransferase (TMT) activity and Parkinson's disease (PD).
- S-methylation capacity has been hypothesized as a potential risk factor for PD development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate thiolmethyltransferase (TMT) activity in red blood cell (RBC) membranes from Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and controls.
- To determine if reduced TMT activity is associated with PD risk in a Japanese cohort.
Main Methods:
- Assay of thiolmethyltransferase (TMT) activity in red blood cell (RBC) membrane preparations.
- Comparison of TMT activity levels between patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), symptomatic parkinsonism, and normal controls.
Main Results:
- No significant decrease in thiolmethyltransferase (TMT) activity was observed in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients compared to normal controls.
- TMT activity levels in patients with symptomatic parkinsonism were also comparable to controls.
- These findings indicate that low S-methylation capacity is unlikely to be a significant risk factor for PD in the studied Japanese population.
Conclusions:
- The study challenges previous findings regarding TMT activity in Parkinson's disease (PD).
- Reduced S-methylation capacity does not appear to be a contributing risk factor for PD in Japanese patients.
- Further research may be needed to explore other potential etiological factors in PD.