4 April 2016
New fundamental insights into brain
processes in patients with Parkinson's disease
Patients
suffering from Parkinson's disease showed no deficits in their ability to
recognise emotions, while this ability was expected to be compromised. This is
due to a shortage of the 'happiness hormone' dopamine. Reduced brain activity
in the emotional system should disrupt the ability to identify emotions.
However, according to PhD research conducted by Anja Moonen at Maastricht UMC+,
the brain compensates for this reduction. The PhD candidate also found that a
reduction in the amount of grey matter in the brains of Parkinson's patients is
an important indicator of deteriorating cognitive abilities.
Parkinson's
disease kills cells in the deeper-lying parts of the brain that are involved in
the production of dopamine, among other things. This 'happiness hormone' also
controls muscles and regulates emotions. Dopamine deficiency leads to the
characteristic Parkinson's symptoms, such as shaky arms and legs, muscle
stiffness and slow movements. 'People tend to focus on the physical symptoms,'
says Moonen, 'and pay far less attention to cognitive and emotional problems.
But these problems can have a massive impact on the well-being of the patients,
their friends and their family.'
Compensatory mechanism
In a series of behavioural experiments, Moonen found that
Parkinson's patients were just as capable of recognising positive and negative
emotions as healthy people. MRI scans found reduced activity in certain parts
of the brain, possibly due to a dopamine deficiency, and increased activity in
other parts. This activation is thought to compensate for the decreased ability
to perceive emotions and process information. Moonen also investigated
cognitive ability in Parkinson's patients in relation to the amount of grey
matter in the brain. There, too, she found a notable link.
Grey matter
Grey matter is a collective term for
the cells in the nervous system involved in processing information. In a
follow-up study, Moonen found that a reduction in grey matter did not impair
cognitive ability. 'A reduction in grey matter may be the first sign that
cognitive ability will decline in the future,' says Moonen. 'This finding
highlights the importance of monitoring patients at an early stage and
prescribing medication and cognitive therapy as soon as possible to minimise
further deterioration. These fundamental insights into the brain processes of
Parkinson's patients are essential for developing new therapies tailored
specifically to this target group.'
Anja Moonen of the research institute
MHeNS received her PhD from Maastricht University on 24 March. ‘Emotion and
Cognition in Parkinson’s disease: etiology and neurobiological mechanisms’
http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/web/Main/Sitewide/Content/CompensatoryBrainMechanismInPatientsWithParkinsonsDisease1.htm
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