A role for viral infections in Parkinson's etiology?

Laura K Olsen; Eilis Dowd; Declan P McKernan

doi:10.1042/NS20170166

A role for viral infections in Parkinson's etiology?

Neuronal Signal. 2018 Apr 16;2(2):NS20170166. doi: 10.1042/NS20170166. eCollection 2018 Jun.

Authors

Laura K Olsen¹, Eilis Dowd¹, Declan P McKernan¹

Affiliation

¹ Pharmacology and Therapeutics, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.

Abstract

Despite over 200 years since its first description by James Parkinson, the cause(s) of most cases of Parkinson's disease (PD) are yet to be elucidated. The disparity between the current understanding of PD symptomology and pathology has led to numerous symptomatic therapies, but no strategy for prevention or disease cure. An association between certain viral infections and neurodegenerative diseases has been recognized, but largely ignored or dismissed as controversial, for decades. Recent epidemiological studies have renewed scientific interest in investigating microbial interactions with the central nervous system (CNS). This review examines past and current clinical findings and overviews the potential molecular implications of viruses in PD pathology.

Keywords: Parkinsons disease; neurodegeneration; neuroinflammation; viral infection.

Publication types

Review