Scientists take step closer to Parkinson's cure

Dr Bushra Ahmed and a group of research students identified that Parkinson's sufferers' brain cells, or neurons, are dying. This is because the neurons in the brain's movement-control region cannot detoxify the harmful substances produced during metabolic reactions.

The process is known as Oxidative Stress.

It is the Oxidative Stress which causes Parkinson's sufferers' brain cells to die, and this leads to messages that control movement and balance to be disrupted.

The team distinguished the "damaging connection" after creating specific neurons that make dopamine - the chemical messenger or happy hormone - with stem cell technology.

Dr Ahmed, from the Department of Life Sciences, said: ''My aim was to identify what specific elements inside the cell are responsible for cell death in this way. What we have found far exceeded expectations in terms of firmly identifying the key factors in the causes of Parkinson's disease.

"This research is undoubtedly a great leap forward in the race for a cure, as we can now begin to develop methods of protecting these areas and preventing the damage synonymous with this condition."

Using her current research Dr Ahmed hopes to continue on to the next stage and uncover methods of preventing this damaging process from occurring, which will lead to the ability of minimising the deterioration seen in the brains of Parkinson's sufferers, and prevent the manifestation of symptoms.

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Scientists take step closer to Parkinson's cure