Ghrelin hormone "can boost resistance" to Parkinson's

Healthcare News
27/11/2009
Ghrelin can boost a person's resistance to Parkinson's disease, it has been discovered.

The importance of dopamine in regards to Parkinson's disease has been addressed by researchers in the US.

It is a widely-held understanding that the degeneration of dopamine neurons in an area of the brain known as the substantia nigra - which is responsible for dopamine production - leads to a worsening of conditions.

This can lead to an increased difficulty in walking, restricted movements, a lack of appetite, periods of motionlessness and notable head and limb tremors, according to scientists on the project at the Yale School of Medicine.

Tamas Horvath, the chair of the facility and professor of comparative medicine, explained that he and his team discovered that ghrelin is responsible for directly activating the brain's dopamine calls.

He continued: "Because this hormone originates from the stomach, it is circulating normally in the body, so it could easily be used to boost resistance to Parkinson's or it could be used to slow the development of the disease."

Earlier this month, it was discovered that red tomatoes contain a lot of ghrelin, as well as making a person feel fuller quicker.

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