F
C U S
O N
R E S E A R C H
“We are working toward defining the mechanisms
that occur when folate is removed from the diet and
correcting the progression of neuronal damage that
occurs in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.”
– Teodoro Bottiglieri, Ph.D.
required to prevent the formation of P-Tau, a toxic protein that accumulates in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease and causes
destruction of neurons. If the build-up of P-Tau in the brain is
reduced this will limit the damage to neurons and prevent loss of
cognitive function.
B vitamins play an especially important role in the presence of a
frontline drug used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Dr.
Bottiglieri and his team showed that Levodopa (L-dopa), a medication that reduces motor function symptoms by restoring dopamine
in the brain, also increases homocysteine in the blood. The researchers demonstrated that L-dopa can also increase the amount of P-Tau
in brain tissue, and this may lead to similar changes seen in the brains
of people with Alzheimer’s disease.
“L-dopa is a wonderful drug that helps a lot of people,” says Dr.
Bottiglieri. “But one of the side effects of taking L-dopa is it produces homocysteine, which raises the risk for vascular disease and
dementia. It also interferes with methylation and cause changes
in the brain that affect the normal function of neurons. These
effects are accentuated where there’s a vitamin B deficiency.”
Dr. Bottiglieri’s goal is to reverse the changes induced by L-dopa
with vitamin B supplementation so that people with Parkinson’s
disease, who may require long-term treatment, can safely take
the drug.
For more information on research initiatives at Baylor, contact Sarah
Burdi at 214.820.4721 or [email protected].
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