Can COVID-19 infection increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease? That’s the question posed by a new commentary that explores three known case studies of people developing Parkinson’s-like symptoms in the weeks following infection with SARS-CoV-2.
That’s the question posed by a new commentary published in the journal Trends in Neurosciences, which explores three known case studies of people developing Parkinson’s-like symptoms in the weeks following infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. While rare, these cases provide important insights into potential long-term implications of infections.
The commentary was co-authored by Patrik Brundin, M.D., Ph.D., of Van Andel Institute, Avindra Nath, M.D., of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the National Institutes of Health, and J. David Beckham, M.D., of University of Colorado.
«As we continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic today, we also must consider its implications for the future,» Brundin said. «Evidence is mounting that the side effects of COVID-19 infection, such as inflammation and damage to the vascular system, could lay the foundation for development of Parkinson’s disease. COVID-19 is clearly a major and ongoing public health threat, but the consequences of infection may end up being with us for years and decades to come.»
Parkinson’s disease is a multi-system disorder that begins years or even decades before its hallmark movement-related symptoms appear. Growing evidence suggests Parkinson’s arises from a complex mix of factors that vary from person to person, including age, genetic predisposition, history of infections and exposure to certain environmental factors such as pollution or pesticides.
Viral infections in particular may play a role in triggering the earliest stages of Parkinson’s by setting off a cascade that results in the death of brain cells that produce dopamine, a vital chemical messenger whose absence leads to movement issues such as freezing and tremor.
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Materials provided by Van Andel Research Institute. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.