New evidence sheds light on how Parkinson`s disease may happen
(PHYSorg.com Medicine & Health)

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children`s Hospital have identified unexpected new key players in the development of an early onset form of Parkinson`s disease called Parkinsonism. These key players are ceramides, a family of lipid molecules that are found within cell membranes. The researchers propose that ceramides are the linchpin that connects previously identified cellular defects and genes independently known to be associated with Parkinson`s disease and suggest a mechanism that can lead to the condition. The findings, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, could result in novel strategies to prevent or treat the condition in the future.