Mechanisms behind sensory deficits in Parkinson's disease

(Karolinska Institutet) Although Parkinson's disease is often associated with motor symptoms such as stiffness, poor balance and trembling, the first symptoms are often sensory and include a reduced sense of touch and smell. In a study on mice, researchers at Karolinska Institutet have now been able to identify neural circuits and mechanisms behind this loss of sensory perception. The study, which is published in the scientific journal Neuron, may open avenues to methods of earlier diagnosis.
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - Category: Biology Source Type: news