Sneha Goswami

Glucocorticoids and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Parkinson’s Disease

Started June 21, 2024

Abstract or project description

Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease where patients suffer from tremors, stiffness and bradykinesia. One process that is strongly associated with Parkinson’s disease is mitochondrial damage and a lack of mitophagy, where mitochondria are not able to be recycled by lysosomes, and this occurs earlier in the development of Parkinson's disease. Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress exist in a vicious cycle, as studies show that oxidative stress can cause mitochondrial damage, and mitochondrial damage can result in the release of more reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can in turn cause even more mitochondrial dysfunction. Glucocorticoids fit into this cycle as studies show they can cause an increase in oxidative stress, cause mitochondrial damage, and can cause neuroinflammation. The aim of this presentation is to look into the mechanisms by which glucocorticoids can be implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease through oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, and to see the implications for therapies as a whole.