Parkinson’s Disease Linked to Progressive Brain Vessel Changes
New Delhi: Researchers in Australia have discovered that Parkinson's disease causes significant, progressive changes in the brain's blood vessels, offering a new perspective on the condition.
While Parkinson's is typically associated with alpha-synuclein protein deposits, the study revealed that region-specific vascular changes play a key role in disease progression, according to Xinhua News Agency.
“Traditionally, research has focused on protein accumulation and neuronal loss, but our findings highlight the impact on the brain’s cerebrovasculature,” said Derya Dik, postdoctoral researcher at Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA).
The team identified changes in specific brain regions, including an increased presence of “string vessels,” which are non-functional remnants of capillaries. Collaborating with the University of New South Wales and the University of Sydney, researchers also observed alterations in blood flow and the functioning of the blood-brain barrier.
Published in the journal Brain, the findings could open new treatment pathways. Experts suggest that targeting these progressive, region-specific vascular changes may slow Parkinson’s progression and improve patient outcomes.
The team is also exploring whether similar vascular changes are present in other neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies.
“This study could pave the way for novel treatments for Parkinson’s, while also helping us understand the vascular component in other neurodegenerative diseases,” Dik added.
Stuti Tiwari joined Medical Dialogues in 2025 as a Hindi Content Writing Intern. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Delhi. With a strong interest in health journalism, digital media, and storytelling, Stuti focuses on writing, editing, and curating Hindi health content. She works on producing informative, engaging, and accurate articles to make healthcare news and updates more understandable and relatable for Hindi-speaking audiences.