Mitochondria and Oxidative Stress: Pathogenetic Mechanisms in Parkinson’s Disease This issue features the second of 2 articles on the pathogenetic mechanisms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Other articles include reviews on gene therapy trials in PD patients, research that reveals a significant role B cells play in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS), and evidence linking Epstein-Barr virus and the development of MS. The Highlights section summarizes several articles published recently in the literature. |
 Mitochondria and Oxidative Stress: Pathogenetic Mechanisms in Parkinson’s Disease
The pathogenetic mechanisms involved in Parkinson’s disease remain obscure, but current research is elucidating how several mechanisms may account for the loss of dopaminergic neurons. This article reviews the pathogenetic mechanisms associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in PD.
Gene Therapy in Parkinson’s Disease
There appears to be a promising future for the use of gene therapy in CNS diseases, particularly PD. However, serious adverse events in unrelated gene therapy trials have raised safety concerns. This article reviews past and current studies of gene therapy in PD and addresses some of the concerns that need to be resolved.
B-Cell Immunity and MS
Recent research reveals that autoimmune B cells play a significant role in the pathogenesis of MS. The clinical implications of this finding is that B-cell pathophysiology may be another potential target for interdiction in MS.
B Cells, Epstein-Barr Virus, and MS
The pathogenetic role of B cells is being investigated in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection as well as in MS. This article summarizes this line of research, which is intriguing because EBV is the infectious agent having the strongest evidence for an association with MS.
Highlights From the Literature
Summaries of 4 recent research articles: immunosuppressive treatment beneficial in rapidly worsening MS, proteomic analysis of MS lesions identifies new therapeutic targets, B-cell depletion by rituximab effective in relapsing-remitting MS, and serum urate predicts PD progression.
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