Study finds potential link between flu and Parkinson’s

A study from Hyderabad's CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology suggests a potential link between influenza and Parkinson's disease. While the research does not prove that infections directly cause Parkinson's, it does propose that these viral infections may trigger molecular changes linked to neurodegeneration. The study, conducted by scientist Swasti Raychaudhuri's lab at CCMB, explores how RNA virus infections could influence the development of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's.

One key protein examined in the study is α-Synuclein, which can form harmful amyloid clumps in the brains of people with Parkinson's. The researchers found that RNA viruses, such as those causing influenza and COVID-19, can increase the formation of these clumps. However, infected cells have a defense mechanism against this damage.

A protein called DDX39A, typically found in the nucleus, helps unfold the virus's RNA and slows the formation of α-Synuclein clumps. The study notes that while some protective mechanisms exist, repeated viral infections might increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's over time.