RNA Interference Neurology

Scientists from the Mayo Clinic are currently testing RNA interference on a parkinson's disease model in mice. The RNA interfence uses small interfering RNA strands that are introduced into the brain's of mice. These RNA strands are able to selectively knock down the functioning of the alpha-synuclein gene. Too much of the alpha-synuclein protein is believed to cause some of the neuron death that is found in parkinson's patients. RNA interference can temporarily reduce the amount of this specific protein in the brain and this may have a neuroprotective effect for parkinson's patients. The researchers found that introducing RNA interference was able to silence the alpha synuclein gene for approximately 3 weeks.

Parkinson's disease is currently a terrible disorder that can leave a person incapacitated. In a patient's brain, the dopamine producing cells die off over the course of the disease. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is involved in a variety of brain processes such as mood, addiction and movement. As the dopamine brain cells die off, dopamine levels in the brain decrease precipitously. As the dopamine levels drop patients show signs of muscle rigidity, tremor and a slowing of physical movement. Patients often become trapped in a body that no longer functions normally. Most current treatments for Parkinson's disease focus on increasing dopamine in the brain. There are a variety of drugs which enhance dopamine. These drugs include dopamine precursors, dopamine agonists and drugs that prevent the breakdown of dopamine.

Preventing dopamine cell death may become a future method of slowing the disease process as opposed to just replacing missing dopamine. RNA interference has the ability to slow down the disease process. There are several different problems with RNA interference that researchers have to overcome before they can use it in humans. However, this may become a new treatment option for Parkinson's patients in the future.