Diane Marshall (@duhgurlz.bsky.social)

A Brain Virus May Trigger Parkinson's in Some People and Scientists Are Starting to Take the Idea Seriously A virus that normally infects mice has produced Parkinson’s-like brain damage in rodents without any other intervention. In a pilot study, Texas A&M researchers used Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus, or TMEV, to infect a small brain region that helps control movement. The infection destroyed dopamine-producing neurons at the site, disrupting walking and coordination. The result does not mean this particular virus causes Parkinson’s disease in people. It cannot because TMEV only affects rodents, but some other virus that can infect the human brain might. Lasting Viral Damage in the Brain Parkinson’s disease kills neurons that make dopamine. There are over 100 neurotransmitters in the human body, which are like tiny chemical mailmen that deliver messages between your nerve cells. Probably 99% are unknown to laypeople, but everybody knows about dopamine. Often erroneously called the pleasure molecule (a better moniker would be the ‘anticipation molecule’ because it floods your brain when you anticipate a reward, not when you receive it), dopamine is, in fact, also heavily involved in movement. Your brain needs this chemical to coordinate smooth movement. As dopamine neurons disappear, people can develop tremors, stiffness, balance problems, changes in walking, and emotional distress. These symptoms are the hallmarks of... https://www.zmescience.com/medicine/parkinsons-brain-virus/