Page 11 - Parkinsons disease

ECM can cause pathological changes in the

structure and function of neurons. It also affects

their ability to signal other neurons. This is one of

the major problems in patients suffering from

Parkinson's disease. If the ECM is not maintained

in a healthy state, the neurons can degenerate and

eventually die. As analogy, think of the soil a plant

finds itself immersed in. If the soil is unhealthy, the

plant will wither and eventually die.

The crucial point for the information above is

that the neurons involved in Parkinson's disease do

not exist independently. They are interdependent

on other support cells found within the brain as

well as the environment which surrounds the cells

(the ECM). If the support cells and the ECM are

maintained in a healthy state, the neurons have an

increased likelihood of recovering health and

function. If the support cells and ECM are in an

unhealthy state and ignored, the neurons will suffer,

deteriorate and possibly eventually die.