University of Sheffield - Brain cell breakthrough

A new lead for treatments of Parkinson's disease has been discovered by scientists at the University of Sheffield. A study identified a pathway inside nerve cells that could be stimulated to protect the dying cells affected by Parkinson's. Tests showed that the drug Rapamycin helped protect cells against the damaging effects of two mutant genes that cause inherited forms of the disease. Although not a direct solution, scientists believe it could help to find a way to halt the progressive destruction of brain cells.