The Impact of Human Herpesviruses on Parkinson's Disease; From Latent infection to Neurodegeneration

Parkinson's disease (PD), the most prevalent movement disorder and second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide, presents with a complex array of motor and non-motor symptoms. This disorder imposes significant burdens on healthcare systems and substantially diminishes patients' quality of life. Although the precise mechanisms underlying PD remain incompletely understood, growing evidence suggests that multiple factors, including aging, genetic predisposition, and environmental triggers, particularly viral infections, contribute to its development and progression. Among infectious agents, human herpesviruses (HHVs) have attracted significant research interest due to their unique ability to establish latency and reactivate within the nervous system. These neurotropic HHVS may contribute to disease progression through a range of direct and indirect synergistic mechanisms, including activation of neural and immune systems, induction of neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, disruption of intracellular signaling, and impaired protein. Although no fully effective treatment for PD currently exists, a detailed understanding of the HHVS underlying molecular and pathophysiological mechanisms may pave the way for the development of targeted antiviral and immunomodulatory therapeutic strategies, ultimately contributing to improved patient care and quality of life. This study aims to explore the potential association between HHVs infections and PD, with a particular focus on the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms through which these neurotropic viruses may contribute to disease onset and progression. By examining these pathways, the study seeks to shed light on possible therapeutic implications, including antiviral and immunomodulatory strategies for PD management.

کلیدواژه ها:

Neurodegenerative Diseases ، Parkinson disease ، Viruses ، Herpesviridae