India, Nov. 26 -- New research has revealed that Parkinson's disease causes significant and progressive changes to blood vessels in the brain, changing the understanding of the disease which may lead to new treatment methods.

While Parkinson's disease is characterised by alpha-synuclein protein deposits, this research from Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), the University of NSW Sydney (UNSW), and the University of Sydney has shifted understanding of the disease.

"Traditionally Parkinson's researchers have focused on protein accumulation and neuronal loss, but we have shown the impacts on our cerebrovasculature - the blood vessels in our brain," Dik said.

They also observed changes relating to how blood flows in the brain and how...