Seemingly harmless, symptomless virus may actually cause Parkinson's disease: study
Now, scientists have discovered that a virus that has flown under the radar for years might be a potential contributor to the neurodegenerative disorder.
'We wanted to investigate potential environmental factors – such as viruses – that might contribute to Parkinson's disease,' Igor Koralnik, the lead author of the study and chief of neuroinfectious diseases and global neurology at Northwestern Medicine, said in a press release.
Advertisement
3 Researchers at Northwestern Medicine have discovered that a virus that has flown under the radar for years might be a potential contributor to the neurodegenerative disorder.
Laura Brown
'Using a tool called 'ViroFind', we analyzed post-mortem brain samples from individuals with Parkinson's and from those who died of other causes. We searched for all known human-infecting viruses to identify any differences between the two groups.'
What they found was that the Human Pegivirus (HPgV) — a blood-borne, symptomless virus from the same family as hepatitis C — was present in the brains and spinal fluid of 50% of people with Parkinson's but not in those without it.
The findings — published Tuesday in the journal JCI Insight — could be a major breakthrough in unlocking some of the factors that lead to this tricky disease and provide new insight into a virus that was previously considered benign.
Advertisement
'HPgV is a common, symptomless infection previously not known to frequently infect the brain,' Dr. Koralnik said.
'We were surprised to find it in the brains of Parkinson's patients at such high frequency and not in the controls. Even more unexpected was how the immune system responded differently, depending on a person's genetics.'
'This suggests it could be an environmental factor that interacts with the body in ways we didn't realize before.
Advertisement
'For a virus that was thought to be harmless, these findings suggest it may have important effects, in the context of Parkinson's disease. It may influence how Parkinson's develops, especially in people with certain genetic backgrounds.'
3 What they found was that the Human Pegivirus (HPgV) — a blood-borne, symptomless virus from the same family as hepatitis C — was present in the brains and spinal fluid of 50% of people with Parkinson's but not in those without it.
C Davids/peopleimages.com – stock.adobe.com
Blood samples from more than 1,000 people enrolled in the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative, a project launched by The Michael J. Fox Foundation, showed that people with HPgV had unique immune system 'signals' — patterns that appeared both in the bloodstream and the brain.
Advertisement
'With the blood samples, we observed similar immune-related changes, mirroring those found in the brain,' Dr. Koralnik said.
'People who had the virus showed different signals from the immune system than those who didn't, and this pattern was the same, no matter the genetics. But as we followed each person over time, we saw a more complicated picture.'
In people with a Parkinson's-linked mutation in the LRRK2 gene, the immune system reacted to the virus differently than in those without the mutation — suggesting the virus may interact with certain genes to help set the disease in motion.
3 Blood samples from more than 1,000 people enrolled in the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative, a project launched by The Michael J. Fox Foundation.
Getty Images
'We plan to look more closely at how genes like LRRK2 affect the body's response to other viral infections to figure out if this is a special effect of HPgV or a broader response to viruses,' added Dr. Koralnik.
Now, the team wants to go bigger, examining more brains to determine how often HPgV sneaks past the blood-brain barrier.
'One big question we still need to answer is how often the virus gets into the brains of people with or without Parkinson's,' said Dr. Koralnik.
'We also aim to understand how viruses and genes interact; insights that could reveal how Parkinson's begins and could help guide future therapies.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
4 hours ago
- Newsweek
Smart Speakers Like Alexa and Google Assistant Could Tell if You Have Parkinson's
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A new AI-powered, speech-based screening tool could help people assess whether they are showing signs of Parkinson's disease at home. Developed as part of a study by University of Rochester computer scientists, the web-based test asks users to recite two pangrams, short sentences using every letter of the alphabet. In just seconds, the AI can analyze the voice recordings to look for subtle patterns linked to Parkinson's—with nearly 86 percent accuracy. The researchers believe such a tool could be implemented as a feature in popular speech-based interfaces like Amazon Alexa or Google Home (with users consent). Parkinson's is typically diagnosed by specially trained neurologists through a combination of examinations, brain imaging and family history. While the new tool is not intended to be a replacement for a clinical diagnosis, the researchers see it as a fast, low-barrier and accessible way to flag people who might have the disease and encourage them to seek thorough clinical evaluation. Man connecting Alexa-like device to phone at home. Man connecting Alexa-like device to phone at 1.1 million people in the U.S. are living with Parkinson's disease, expected to rise to 1.2 million by 2030, according to Parkinson's Foundation. Nearly an estimated 90,000 people are diagnosed across the country each year, making it the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's. While incidence increases with age, some four percent of people are diagnosed before 50. "There are huge swaths of the U.S. and across the globe where access to specialized neurological care is limited," said Rochester computer science professor Ehsan Hoque in a statement. "With users' consent, widely used speech-based interfaces like Amazon Alexa or Google Home could potentially help people identify if they need to seek further care." Most people living with Parkinson's in the U.S. seek their care from neurologists, with approximately 50 percent seeing a community neurologist and 9 percent seeing a movement disorders specialist, a previous Parkinson's Foundation study found. However, nearly 40 percent of people with the disease do not see a neurologist for their care but see a primary care provider (29 percent) or no provider (11 percent.) Home speaker device. Home speaker device. fabioderby/Getty Images To train and validate the new tool the researchers collected data from more than 1,300 participants—with and without Parkinson's—across home care settings, clinical settings at the University of Rochester Medical Center and the InMotion Parkinson's disease care center in Ohio. Using their computer's microphone, participants were asked to read aloud the following sentences: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. The dog wakes up and follows the fox into the forest, but again the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." By utilizing advanced semi-supervised audio models trained on millions of digital recordings to understand the characteristics of speech, the tool can obtain enough vocal cues from the short sentences to flag warning signs. "For example, the way someone with Parkinson's would utter sounds, pause, breathe, and inadvertently add features of unintelligibility is different in someone without Parkinson's," explained paper author and computer science master's degree student Abdelrahman Abdelkader in a statement. The tool was 85.7 percent accurate when tested, providing a strong indication of whether someone may have Parkinson's, according to the study authors. Woman using Google Nest-like device at home. Woman using Google Nest-like device at well as speech, some people can display signs of Parkinson's through motor movement tasks or facial expressions. Over the past decade, this has led Hoque's lab to pursue algorithms to combine multiple indicators with state-of-the-art results. "Research shows that nearly 89 percent of people with Parkinson's have a deformity in their voice that can be indicative of the disease, making speech a strong starting point for digital screening," said paper author and computer scientist Tariq Adnan in a statement. "By combining this method with assessments of other symptoms, we aim to cover the majority of people through our accessible screening process." An interactive, browser-based demonstration of the lab's three screening tests, including this new speech test, is available to try out at home here. Newsweek has reached out to the study authors for more information. Do you have a health story to share with Newsweek? Do you have a question about Parkinson's? Let us know via health@ References Adnan, T., Abdelkader, A., Liu, Z., Hossain, E., Park, S., Islam, M. S., & Hoque, E. (2025). A novel fusion architecture for detecting Parkinson's Disease using semi-supervised speech embeddings. Npj Parkinson's Disease, 11(1), 176. Pearson, C., Hartzman, A., Munevar, D., Feeney, M., Dolhun, R., Todaro, V., Rosenfeld, S., Willis, A., & Beck, J. C. (2023). Care access and utilization among medicare beneficiaries living with Parkinson's disease. Npj Parkinson's Disease, 9(1), 108.
Newsweek
6 hours ago
- Newsweek
Tiny 'Flowers' Offer New Hope Against Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Tiny, metallic, flower-shaped nanoparticles may offer fresh hope for patients with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. This is the conclusion of researchers from Texas A&M University, who found that the so-called nanoflowers can protect and heal brain cells. The do this by promoting the health and turnover of mitochondria—the oft-dubbed "powerhouses of the cell" which are responsible for turning food into energy. While this process is essential for life, the mitochondria also produce waste in the process—including so-called "reactive oxygen species"—which can damage cells. The finding could pave the way for new treatments for neurological diseases that address the underlying root causes—in this case mitochondrial health and oxidative stress—instead of just managing symptoms. "We expect that our drug can reverse neuronal damage and consequently reverse neurodegeneration," study lead and biochemist professor Dmitry Kurouski told Newsweek. Alzheimer's is the most common neurodegenerative disease with Parkinson's coming in second—and promising new treatments are much sought after. In fact, more than seven million Americans are living with Alzheimer's, a figure projected to rise to nearly 13 million by 2050, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Meanwhile, around 1.1 million people in the U.S. are living with Parkinson's, expected to rise to 1.2 million by 2030, according to Parkinson's Foundation. Alongside potentially helping combat Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, Kurouski said, "it is important to mention that similar reversing effects could be expected in other pathologies including acute brain and spinal cord injuries." Doctor and older patient smile while looking at phone results, with inserted image of nanoflowers overlayed in corner. Doctor and older patient smile while looking at phone results, with inserted image of nanoflowers overlayed in corner. Lacheev / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Journal of Biological Chemistry In their study, Kurouski and colleagues explored—in a petri dish in the lab—how nanoflowers affect both the brain's nerve cells, or 'neurons', and the star-shaped 'astrocytes' that support them. Within 24 hours of treatment, the team saw a "dramatic" drop in the levels of ROS, accompanied by signs of improved mitochondrial function. "Even in healthy cells, some oxidative stress is expected. But the nanoflowers seem to fine-tune the performance of mitochondria, ultimately bringing the levels of their toxic byproducts down to almost nothing," Kurouski explained. Having assessed the effects on individual cells, the researchers next tested the impact of the nanoflowers on whole creatures—specifically a species of worm, C. elegans, which is commonly used as a model organism in neurological research. The team found that, on average, worms treated with one specific flavor of nanoflower survived for days longer than their untreated counterparts (which typically live for around 18 days) and were less likely to die during the early stages of their lives. "These nanoflowers look beautiful under a microscope, but what they do inside the cell is even more impressive," Kurouski said in a statement. "By improving the health of brain cells, they help address one of the key drivers of neurodegenerative diseases that have long resisted therapeutic breakthroughs." With more research needed before clinical trials could be conducted on humans, Kurouski says he plans to undertake further studies in more complex animal models. The team are also exploring practical concerns towards clinical applications. "We are currently working on finding the best way to administrate the drug. We anticipate that internasal spray will be the best solution," Kurouski said. The biochemist stressed that he is keen to make sure the nanoflowers are safe, effective and have clear mechanism of action—but, he concluded, he thinks they could be a "new class of therapeutics" with "incredible potential." Do you have a health story to share with Newsweek? Do you have a question about the study? Let us know via health@ Reference Mitchell, C. L., Matveyenka, M., & Kurouski, D. (2025). Neuroprotective properties of transition metal dichalcogenide nanoflowers alleviate acute and chronic neurological conditions linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 301(5).
New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
Parkinson's isn't fatal — but it can lead to these complications which are, as Ozzy Osbourne dies at 76
Ozzy Osbourne's death this week at the age of 76 has ignited curiosity about his Parkinson's disease and how it contributed to his death. Parkinson's, which affects memory, thinking and movement, is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world. Osbourne was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2003, but waited until 2020 to publicly disclose the news. 6 Ozzy Osbourne was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2003, but waited until 2020 to publicly disclose the news. Cameron Glendenning He was open about his health struggles in recent years. 'It's been five years of absolute hell for me and the family,' the 'Prince of Darkness' said on 'Piers Morgan Uncensored' in September 2023. Around 90,000 new cases of Parkinson's are diagnosed in the US each year. The disease tends to strike people over the age of 60. Osbourne and the actor Michael J. Fox, 64, are among the most prominent patients. While the exact cause of Parkinson's remains unknown, some experts propose it might originate in the gut before affecting the brain. The disorder commonly affects mobility, causing shaking and stiffness as well as hindering balance and coordination. 6 Osbourne is seen leaving an office building in Santa Monica, Calif., in November 2023. Clint Brewer Photography / A.I.M / BACKGRID There is no known cure for Parkinson's, and while the disease itself isn't fatal, it is progressive and can cause life-threatening complications. 'You wake up the next morning and find that something else has gone wrong,' Osbourne told The Guardian. 'You begin to think this is never going to end.' Here are some of the things that can go wrong with Parkinson's and lead to death. Pneumonia According to an NIH study, aspiration pneumonia accounts for 70% of deaths among Parkinson's patients. The infection occurs when bacteria from the mouth are pulled into the lungs during aspiration, i.e., when a person swallows the wrong way and something enters their airway or lungs. Parkinson's patients are more likely to aspirate since dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is a common symptom of the disease. It is estimated that around 80% of patients suffer from this kind of issue in the early stages of the disease. The incidence increases to 95% in later stages. 6 Parkinson's patients are more likely to aspirate since dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is a common symptom of the disease. Pixel-Shot – The risk of aspiration pneumonia can be mitigated by preventing swallowing issues and reducing mouth bacteria with vigilant oral hygiene. Malnutrition A study in the Journal of Parkinson's Disease found that roughly 30% of patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's are at risk for malnutrition. Malnutrition weakens the immune system, making individuals with Parkinson's more susceptible to infections. In addition, malnutrition can amplify other Parkinson's symptoms like fatigue, cognitive decline and mood disturbance. Blood clots Blood clots, or venous thrombosis, rank among the leading causes of sudden death in Parkinson's patients. Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein due to slow or blocked blood flow. It's often caused by sitting in the same position for a long time. An estimated 1 million Americans develop DVT annually, and up to 100,000 will die from it. 6 Blood clots are more common in patients with Parkinson's compared to the general population. Doodeez – The incidence of DVT is notably higher in Parkinson's patients than in the general population. Most Parkinson's patients suffer from bradykinesia, hindered mobility, as well as swelling and pain in their lower extremities. In early Parkinson's patients, bradykinesia can cause abnormal muscle contractions and limit the pumping function in the leg muscles, leading to impaired blood flow and an increased likelihood of blood clots. 6 Osbourne is seen exiting a car with a cane in May 2024. Advanced Parkinson's patients face an even higher risk of blood clots due to postural imbalance and being bedridden. 'I also get blood pressure issues, from blood clots on my legs. I'm used to doing two hours on stage, jumping and running around,' Osbourne told The Guardian this year. Sepsis Relative to immobility, advanced-stage Parkinson's patients are more likely to develop pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores. According to the American Parkinson's Disease Association, these ulcers can become infected and, if left untreated, can lead to a life-threatening condition known as sepsis. Falls Due to the balance and mobility issues caused by Parkinson's, patients are at a higher risk of falling, which can result in head injuries, broken bones or even death. 6 Unintentional falls are the leading cause of injury and deaths in seniors. Daniel – Death rates from unintentional falls rose more than 70% from 2003 to 2023 for people 65 to 74, according to data. The rate increased by over 75% for adults 75 to 84 and more than doubled for seniors 85 and older. Dementia Parkinson's dementia is a decline in cognitive function that occurs after a Parkinson's diagnosis. It develops at least one year — but usually longer — after the diagnosis. Symptoms of Parkinson's dementia include a decrease in memory, trouble focusing, challenges with language, mood changes, muffled speech, apathy and psychosis. The longer a patient lives with Parkinson's, the more likely they are to develop the related dementia. Osbourne's official cause of death has yet to be publicly announced. On July 5, he played his final show with Black Sabbath in his hometown of Birmingham, England. The event raised $190 million for several UK charities, including Cure Parkinson's.
