Shared from parkinsonsnewstoday.com.
Infection with a common and otherwise harmless virus called human pegivirus (HPgV) might play a hidden role in Parkinson’s disease, particularly for those with specific genetic risks, according to a new study.
“For a virus that was thought to be harmless, these findings suggest it may have important effects, in the context of Parkinson’s disease,” Igor Koralnik, MD, the study’s senior author, said in a Northwestern Medicine news story. “It may influence how Parkinson’s develops, especially in people with certain genetic backgrounds.”
Researchers found immune responses to the virus differed in people with LRRK2 mutations, one of the most common genetic causes of Parkinson’s, and those who did not have the mutations. A better understanding of the links between environmental risk factors, like viral infections, and genetic predispositions may help develop effective Parkinson’s treatments, according to the research team.