Parkinson’s Disease: A Latest Understanding of the Brain’s Role
For decades, Parkinson’s disease has been largely understood as a movement disorder. But, groundbreaking research is shifting this perspective, identifying a specific brain network as central to the disease’s wide-ranging symptoms. This discovery, led by researchers at China’s Changping Laboratory and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, offers new hope for more effective and personalized treatments.
The SCAN Network: Linking Mind and Body
The key to this new understanding lies in the somato-cognitive action network, or SCAN. First described in 2023, SCAN connects the areas of the brain responsible for thought and action. Researchers have found that in individuals with Parkinson’s disease, this network becomes overly connected to the subcortex – the part of the brain governing emotion, memory, and motor control. This hyperconnectivity disrupts not only movement but also cognitive functions, sleep, and even digestion.
Beyond Movement: The Broad Spectrum of Parkinson’s Symptoms
Parkinson’s disease affects over 1 million people in the United States and more than 10 million worldwide. While tremors and difficulty with movement are hallmark symptoms, the disease manifests in a variety of ways. Patients often experience sleep disturbances, cognitive decline, and issues with bodily functions. This broad range of symptoms has long puzzled researchers, but the SCAN discovery provides a unifying explanation.
Non-Invasive Stimulation Shows Promise
Current treatments, including medication and deep brain stimulation (DBS), can manage symptoms but don’t halt the disease’s progression. The new research suggests a more targeted approach. A clinical trial demonstrated that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) – a non-invasive brain stimulation technique – was more than twice as effective at improving symptoms when focused on the SCAN network compared to stimulation of surrounding areas. Specifically, 56% of patients showed improvement with SCAN-targeted TMS, compared to 22% with conventional TMS.
Precision Treatment and the Future of Parkinson’s Care
The ability to target the SCAN network with millimeter accuracy opens the door to precision medicine for Parkinson’s. Researchers are developing new treatment systems capable of delivering non-invasive stimulation directly to the affected network. This approach could allow for earlier intervention, potentially slowing or even reversing the disease’s progression.
Nico U. Dosenbach, a professor of neurology at WashU Medicine, explains, “This work demonstrates that Parkinson’s is a SCAN disorder, and the data strongly suggest that if you target the SCAN in a personalized, precise manner you can treat Parkinson’s more successfully than was previously possible.”
Exploring New Avenues: Ultrasound and Startups
Research is expanding beyond TMS. Scientists are investigating the leverage of low-intensity focused ultrasound – another non-invasive technique – to modulate SCAN activity. WashU Medicine has launched Turing Medical, a startup co-founded by Dosenbach, to develop non-invasive treatments for gait dysfunction in Parkinson’s patients using surface electrode strips placed over SCAN regions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SCAN network?
The somato-cognitive action network (SCAN) is a brain network that links thinking with movement, responsible for turning plans into actions.
How does this discovery change our understanding of Parkinson’s?
It suggests Parkinson’s isn’t just a movement disorder, but a disorder of the SCAN network, impacting a wider range of functions.
Is there a cure for Parkinson’s disease?
Currently, there is no cure, but this research offers hope for more effective treatments that could slow or reverse the disease’s progression.
What is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)?
TMS is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific brain areas.
What are the next steps in this research?
Researchers are planning clinical trials to test new non-invasive treatments and further investigate how different parts of the SCAN network affect specific Parkinson’s symptoms.
Did you know? Targeting the SCAN network with TMS more than doubled symptom improvement in a small group of patients compared to conventional stimulation.
Pro Tip: Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for managing Parkinson’s disease. If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms, consult a neurologist.
Stay informed about the latest advancements in neurological research. Explore more articles from Washington University School of Medicine.
