Hopes of vaccine for Parkinson’s sufferers

Research hints that disease is caused by toxins, whose spread to the brain could be blocked

Scientists have raised hopes that they may be able to create a vaccine to block the progress of Parkinson’s disease.

They believe new research provides evidence that an abnormal protein may trigger the condition. If the theory is correct, researchers say it might be possible to prime a person’s immune system – using a special vaccine – so it is ready to attack the rogue protein as it passes through the body. In this way, the protein would be prevented from destroying a person’s dopamine-manufacturing cells, where the disease inflicts its greatest damage.

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