Thursday, January 28, 2016
First list of smart cities: disappointment over failure of Tiruchi
First list of smart cities: disappointment over failure of Tiruchi: The city’s failure to make it to the first list of 20 Smart Cities has come as a huge disappointment to civic activists.Expectations were running high among city residents after the city topped in the
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Tiruchi airport to get 10 MW solar plant
Tiruchi airport to get 10 MW solar plant: The airport here has decided to harness green energy for its power requirements as part of its effort to conserve power and protect environment.The Airports Authority of India (AAI) management has giv
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Welfare assistance and medals distributed
Welfare assistance and medals distributed: Patriotic fervour filled the air across the district during Republic Day celebrations at various places on Tuesday.Collector K.S. Palanisamy unfurled the national flag and took salute on the District
Monday, January 25, 2016
Reaffirms commitment to medial care
Reaffirms commitment to medial care: Expressing her happiness over receiving the Padma Vibhushan, V. Shanta, chairperson of Cancer Institute, said the award was more a recognition of the work done at the institute. Reaffirming her commit
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Growth has to be inclusive, says Jayalalithaa
Growth has to be inclusive, says Jayalalithaa: Chief Minister Jayalalithaa told the Assembly that growth has to be inclusive and this means ensuring that even the weakest sections of society enjoyed its benefits.In her reply to the debate on Gover
AMMA micro loans scheme launched
AMMA micro loans scheme launched: Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Friday launched the AMMA Micro Loans scheme to help small traders affected by the recent floods.A press release said roadside small traders like those selling fruits, ve
Friday, January 22, 2016
University goes solar
University goes solar: Bharathidasan University has opted to tap green energy by establishing a couple of solar power plants on its Khajamalai campus in the city.A 50 kWp solar power plant has been installed atop the Instit
Thursday, January 21, 2016
TN demands Rs. 17,432 crore for flood relief work
TN demands Rs. 17,432 crore for flood relief work: Tamil Nadu Governor K. Rosaiah on Wednesday urged the Centre to release Rs. 17,432 crore, estimated by the State government in the supplementary memorandum, to undertake restoration work following rai
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Number of voters goes up in Tiruchi district
Number of voters goes up in Tiruchi district: : Voter’s strength in Tiruchi district, consisting of nine Assembly constituencies, has increased by 48,205 following the summary revision of electoral rolls carried out over the past couple of months
Monday, January 18, 2016
Friday, January 15, 2016
Keep Away From Alcohol. Aleem MA. Hakkim AM. BMJ 2016;352:i143
Head To Head
Could campaigns like Dry January do more harm than good?
BMJ 2016; 352 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.i143 (Published 13 January 2016)
Cite this as: BMJ 2016;352:i143

Rapid response
Re: Could campaigns like Dry January do more harm than good?
Keep Away From Alcohol
Reduction or leaving the drinking habit is very good for the health of an individual and the community.
Dry in some days weeks or a month and followed by binge or heavy continuous drinking is always injurious to health and wealth.
So always keep away from alcohol.
Competing interests: No competing interests
15 January 2016
M A Aleem
Neurologist
Mohamed Hakkim A
ABC Hospital
Annamalainagar Trichy 6020018 Tamailnadu India
Could campaigns like Dry January do more harm than good?
BMJ 2016; 352 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.i143 (Published 13 January 2016)
Cite this as: BMJ 2016;352:i143

Rapid response
Re: Could campaigns like Dry January do more harm than good?
Keep Away From Alcohol
Reduction or leaving the drinking habit is very good for the health of an individual and the community.
Dry in some days weeks or a month and followed by binge or heavy continuous drinking is always injurious to health and wealth.
So always keep away from alcohol.
Competing interests: No competing interests
15 January 2016
M A Aleem
Neurologist
Mohamed Hakkim A
ABC Hospital
Annamalainagar Trichy 6020018 Tamailnadu India
Sunday, January 3, 2016
Viral Infections and Parkinson's Disease
Hepatitis C and other Viruses and Parkinson's Disease
Infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) significantly increases the risk for Parkinson's disease (PD), new research shows.
The risk of developing PD is obviously multifactorial, and study shows that hepatitis C virus infection can be one of the risk factors.
More detailed neurological tests and functional images might help us detect early PD in anti-HCV–positive patients.
Mechanism
In most cases, exposure to HCV, a small, enveloped RNA virus, leads to chronic infection, causing progressive liver disease, including hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
In developed countries, HCV is transmitted largely by injection from illicit drug use.
The investigators found a 2.5-fold increased risk for PD in patients with HCV infection.
After adjustment for age, sex, and comorbidities, including hyperlipidemia, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, epilepsy diabetes, cirrhosis, stroke, and head injury, the association between HCV and PD remained statistically significant .
An analysis stratified by age, sex, or comorbidity found that a positive association between HCV and PD was maintained in patients under age 65 years, men, or those with a combination of any of the comorbidities. Being male and having comorbidities could represent "hits" in the "second hit" theory of PD.
The theory, is that HCV enters the central nervous system (CNS) by disrupting the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, altering dopaminergic neuronal transmission in the midbrain, and triggering neuro-inflammation, which results in neuronal damage. This damage could be the first "hit," with second "hits" possibly including age, male sex, other environmental exposures (such as pesticides), and head injury.
The link between HCV infection and PD is supported by findings that this infection might release inflammatory cytokines, such as sICAM-1 and RANTES signaling, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of PD.
Dementia Link
HCV infection has also been linked to dementia, another neurodegenerative disease. Although the mechanisms here are not well understood, it's believed that a similar pathogenesis may be at play.
In contrast to HCV, there is no evidence that HBV, which belongs to the Hepadnaviridae family, is neuroinvasive. An earlier study on rats showed that HBV does not induce dopaminergic neuronal toxicity.
But other viruses have been linked to PD. One of the best-known examples is the type A H1N1 influenza virus that caused the 1918 influenza pandemic.
It has been shown that people born during the time of the pandemic influenza outbreak of 1918 have a 2- to 3-fold increased risk of Parkinson's disease than those born prior to 1888 or after 1924.
Another example is HIV, the retrovirus that causes AIDS. HIV can quickly infect astrocyte and microglia (monocytic lineage), causing CNS involvement, said Dr Tsai. "It has been reported that 5% to 50% of all AIDS patients have some motor dysfunction, such as bradykinesia, cogwheel rigidity, and tremor.
Several other viruses, including Coxsackie, Japanese encephalitis B, western equine encephalitis, and herpes, may also be linked to parkinsonism.
There's no cause for alarm for individuals with hepatitis C — for most people, several risk factors must be present for Parkinson's to develop.
Infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) significantly increases the risk for Parkinson's disease (PD), new research shows.
The risk of developing PD is obviously multifactorial, and study shows that hepatitis C virus infection can be one of the risk factors.
More detailed neurological tests and functional images might help us detect early PD in anti-HCV–positive patients.
Mechanism
In most cases, exposure to HCV, a small, enveloped RNA virus, leads to chronic infection, causing progressive liver disease, including hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
In developed countries, HCV is transmitted largely by injection from illicit drug use.
The investigators found a 2.5-fold increased risk for PD in patients with HCV infection.
After adjustment for age, sex, and comorbidities, including hyperlipidemia, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, epilepsy diabetes, cirrhosis, stroke, and head injury, the association between HCV and PD remained statistically significant .
An analysis stratified by age, sex, or comorbidity found that a positive association between HCV and PD was maintained in patients under age 65 years, men, or those with a combination of any of the comorbidities. Being male and having comorbidities could represent "hits" in the "second hit" theory of PD.
The theory, is that HCV enters the central nervous system (CNS) by disrupting the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, altering dopaminergic neuronal transmission in the midbrain, and triggering neuro-inflammation, which results in neuronal damage. This damage could be the first "hit," with second "hits" possibly including age, male sex, other environmental exposures (such as pesticides), and head injury.
The link between HCV infection and PD is supported by findings that this infection might release inflammatory cytokines, such as sICAM-1 and RANTES signaling, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of PD.
Dementia Link
HCV infection has also been linked to dementia, another neurodegenerative disease. Although the mechanisms here are not well understood, it's believed that a similar pathogenesis may be at play.
In contrast to HCV, there is no evidence that HBV, which belongs to the Hepadnaviridae family, is neuroinvasive. An earlier study on rats showed that HBV does not induce dopaminergic neuronal toxicity.
But other viruses have been linked to PD. One of the best-known examples is the type A H1N1 influenza virus that caused the 1918 influenza pandemic.
It has been shown that people born during the time of the pandemic influenza outbreak of 1918 have a 2- to 3-fold increased risk of Parkinson's disease than those born prior to 1888 or after 1924.
Another example is HIV, the retrovirus that causes AIDS. HIV can quickly infect astrocyte and microglia (monocytic lineage), causing CNS involvement, said Dr Tsai. "It has been reported that 5% to 50% of all AIDS patients have some motor dysfunction, such as bradykinesia, cogwheel rigidity, and tremor.
Several other viruses, including Coxsackie, Japanese encephalitis B, western equine encephalitis, and herpes, may also be linked to parkinsonism.
There's no cause for alarm for individuals with hepatitis C — for most people, several risk factors must be present for Parkinson's to develop.
Viral Infections and Parkinson's Disease
Hepatitis C and other Viruses and Parkinson's Disease
Infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) significantly increases the risk for Parkinson's disease (PD), new research shows.
The risk of developing PD is obviously multifactorial, and study shows that hepatitis C virus infection can be one of the risk factors.
More detailed neurological tests and functional images might help us detect early PD in anti-HCV–positive patients.
Mechanism
In most cases, exposure to HCV, a small, enveloped RNA virus, leads to chronic infection, causing progressive liver disease, including hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
In developed countries, HCV is transmitted largely by injection from illicit drug use.
The investigators found a 2.5-fold increased risk for PD in patients with HCV infection.
After adjustment for age, sex, and comorbidities, including hyperlipidemia, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, epilepsy diabetes, cirrhosis, stroke, and head injury, the association between HCV and PD remained statistically significant .
An analysis stratified by age, sex, or comorbidity found that a positive association between HCV and PD was maintained in patients under age 65 years, men, or those with a combination of any of the comorbidities. Being male and having comorbidities could represent "hits" in the "second hit" theory of PD.
The theory, is that HCV enters the central nervous system (CNS) by disrupting the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, altering dopaminergic neuronal transmission in the midbrain, and triggering neuro-inflammation, which results in neuronal damage. This damage could be the first "hit," with second "hits" possibly including age, male sex, other environmental exposures (such as pesticides), and head injury.
The link between HCV infection and PD is supported by findings that this infection might release inflammatory cytokines, such as sICAM-1 and RANTES signaling, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of PD.
Dementia Link
HCV infection has also been linked to dementia, another neurodegenerative disease. Although the mechanisms here are not well understood, it's believed that a similar pathogenesis may be at play.
In contrast to HCV, there is no evidence that HBV, which belongs to the Hepadnaviridae family, is neuroinvasive. An earlier study on rats showed that HBV does not induce dopaminergic neuronal toxicity.
But other viruses have been linked to PD. One of the best-known examples is the type A H1N1 influenza virus that caused the 1918 influenza pandemic.
It has been shown that people born during the time of the pandemic influenza outbreak of 1918 have a 2- to 3-fold increased risk of Parkinson's disease than those born prior to 1888 or after 1924.
Another example is HIV, the retrovirus that causes AIDS. HIV can quickly infect astrocyte and microglia (monocytic lineage), causing CNS involvement, said Dr Tsai. "It has been reported that 5% to 50% of all AIDS patients have some motor dysfunction, such as bradykinesia, cogwheel rigidity, and tremor.
Several other viruses, including Coxsackie, Japanese encephalitis B, western equine encephalitis, and herpes, may also be linked to parkinsonism.
There's no cause for alarm for individuals with hepatitis C — for most people, several risk factors must be present for Parkinson's to develop.
Infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) significantly increases the risk for Parkinson's disease (PD), new research shows.
The risk of developing PD is obviously multifactorial, and study shows that hepatitis C virus infection can be one of the risk factors.
More detailed neurological tests and functional images might help us detect early PD in anti-HCV–positive patients.
Mechanism
In most cases, exposure to HCV, a small, enveloped RNA virus, leads to chronic infection, causing progressive liver disease, including hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
In developed countries, HCV is transmitted largely by injection from illicit drug use.
The investigators found a 2.5-fold increased risk for PD in patients with HCV infection.
After adjustment for age, sex, and comorbidities, including hyperlipidemia, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, epilepsy diabetes, cirrhosis, stroke, and head injury, the association between HCV and PD remained statistically significant .
An analysis stratified by age, sex, or comorbidity found that a positive association between HCV and PD was maintained in patients under age 65 years, men, or those with a combination of any of the comorbidities. Being male and having comorbidities could represent "hits" in the "second hit" theory of PD.
The theory, is that HCV enters the central nervous system (CNS) by disrupting the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, altering dopaminergic neuronal transmission in the midbrain, and triggering neuro-inflammation, which results in neuronal damage. This damage could be the first "hit," with second "hits" possibly including age, male sex, other environmental exposures (such as pesticides), and head injury.
The link between HCV infection and PD is supported by findings that this infection might release inflammatory cytokines, such as sICAM-1 and RANTES signaling, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of PD.
Dementia Link
HCV infection has also been linked to dementia, another neurodegenerative disease. Although the mechanisms here are not well understood, it's believed that a similar pathogenesis may be at play.
In contrast to HCV, there is no evidence that HBV, which belongs to the Hepadnaviridae family, is neuroinvasive. An earlier study on rats showed that HBV does not induce dopaminergic neuronal toxicity.
But other viruses have been linked to PD. One of the best-known examples is the type A H1N1 influenza virus that caused the 1918 influenza pandemic.
It has been shown that people born during the time of the pandemic influenza outbreak of 1918 have a 2- to 3-fold increased risk of Parkinson's disease than those born prior to 1888 or after 1924.
Another example is HIV, the retrovirus that causes AIDS. HIV can quickly infect astrocyte and microglia (monocytic lineage), causing CNS involvement, said Dr Tsai. "It has been reported that 5% to 50% of all AIDS patients have some motor dysfunction, such as bradykinesia, cogwheel rigidity, and tremor.
Several other viruses, including Coxsackie, Japanese encephalitis B, western equine encephalitis, and herpes, may also be linked to parkinsonism.
There's no cause for alarm for individuals with hepatitis C — for most people, several risk factors must be present for Parkinson's to develop.
Viruses and Parkinson's Disease
Hepatitis C and other Viruses and Parkinson's Disease
Infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) significantly increases the risk for Parkinson's disease (PD), new research shows.
The risk of developing PD is obviously multifactorial, and study shows that hepatitis C virus infection can be one of the risk factors.
More detailed neurological tests and functional images might help us detect early PD in anti-HCV–positive patients.
Mechanism
In most cases, exposure to HCV, a small, enveloped RNA virus, leads to chronic infection, causing progressive liver disease, including hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
In developed countries, HCV is transmitted largely by injection from illicit drug use.
The investigators found a 2.5-fold increased risk for PD in patients with HCV infection.
After adjustment for age, sex, and comorbidities, including hyperlipidemia, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, epilepsy diabetes, cirrhosis, stroke, and head injury, the association between HCV and PD remained statistically significant .
An analysis stratified by age, sex, or comorbidity found that a positive association between HCV and PD was maintained in patients under age 65 years, men, or those with a combination of any of the comorbidities. Being male and having comorbidities could represent "hits" in the "second hit" theory of PD.
The theory, is that HCV enters the central nervous system (CNS) by disrupting the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, altering dopaminergic neuronal transmission in the midbrain, and triggering neuro-inflammation, which results in neuronal damage. This damage could be the first "hit," with second "hits" possibly including age, male sex, other environmental exposures (such as pesticides), and head injury.
The link between HCV infection and PD is supported by findings that this infection might release inflammatory cytokines, such as sICAM-1 and RANTES signaling, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of PD.
Dementia Link
HCV infection has also been linked to dementia, another neurodegenerative disease. Although the mechanisms here are not well understood, it's believed that a similar pathogenesis may be at play.
In contrast to HCV, there is no evidence that HBV, which belongs to the Hepadnaviridae family, is neuroinvasive. An earlier study on rats showed that HBV does not induce dopaminergic neuronal toxicity.
But other viruses have been linked to PD. One of the best-known examples is the type A H1N1 influenza virus that caused the 1918 influenza pandemic.
It has been shown that people born during the time of the pandemic influenza outbreak of 1918 have a 2- to 3-fold increased risk of Parkinson's disease than those born prior to 1888 or after 1924.
Another example is HIV, the retrovirus that causes AIDS. HIV can quickly infect astrocyte and microglia (monocytic lineage), causing CNS involvement, said Dr Tsai. "It has been reported that 5% to 50% of all AIDS patients have some motor dysfunction, such as bradykinesia, cogwheel rigidity, and tremor.
Several other viruses, including Coxsackie, Japanese encephalitis B, western equine encephalitis, and herpes, may also be linked to parkinsonism.
There's no cause for alarm for individuals with hepatitis C — for most people, several risk factors must be present for Parkinson's to develop.
Infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) significantly increases the risk for Parkinson's disease (PD), new research shows.
The risk of developing PD is obviously multifactorial, and study shows that hepatitis C virus infection can be one of the risk factors.
More detailed neurological tests and functional images might help us detect early PD in anti-HCV–positive patients.
Mechanism
In most cases, exposure to HCV, a small, enveloped RNA virus, leads to chronic infection, causing progressive liver disease, including hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
In developed countries, HCV is transmitted largely by injection from illicit drug use.
The investigators found a 2.5-fold increased risk for PD in patients with HCV infection.
After adjustment for age, sex, and comorbidities, including hyperlipidemia, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, epilepsy diabetes, cirrhosis, stroke, and head injury, the association between HCV and PD remained statistically significant .
An analysis stratified by age, sex, or comorbidity found that a positive association between HCV and PD was maintained in patients under age 65 years, men, or those with a combination of any of the comorbidities. Being male and having comorbidities could represent "hits" in the "second hit" theory of PD.
The theory, is that HCV enters the central nervous system (CNS) by disrupting the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, altering dopaminergic neuronal transmission in the midbrain, and triggering neuro-inflammation, which results in neuronal damage. This damage could be the first "hit," with second "hits" possibly including age, male sex, other environmental exposures (such as pesticides), and head injury.
The link between HCV infection and PD is supported by findings that this infection might release inflammatory cytokines, such as sICAM-1 and RANTES signaling, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of PD.
Dementia Link
HCV infection has also been linked to dementia, another neurodegenerative disease. Although the mechanisms here are not well understood, it's believed that a similar pathogenesis may be at play.
In contrast to HCV, there is no evidence that HBV, which belongs to the Hepadnaviridae family, is neuroinvasive. An earlier study on rats showed that HBV does not induce dopaminergic neuronal toxicity.
But other viruses have been linked to PD. One of the best-known examples is the type A H1N1 influenza virus that caused the 1918 influenza pandemic.
It has been shown that people born during the time of the pandemic influenza outbreak of 1918 have a 2- to 3-fold increased risk of Parkinson's disease than those born prior to 1888 or after 1924.
Another example is HIV, the retrovirus that causes AIDS. HIV can quickly infect astrocyte and microglia (monocytic lineage), causing CNS involvement, said Dr Tsai. "It has been reported that 5% to 50% of all AIDS patients have some motor dysfunction, such as bradykinesia, cogwheel rigidity, and tremor.
Several other viruses, including Coxsackie, Japanese encephalitis B, western equine encephalitis, and herpes, may also be linked to parkinsonism.
There's no cause for alarm for individuals with hepatitis C — for most people, several risk factors must be present for Parkinson's to develop.
Hepatitis C and other Viruses and Parkinson's Disease
Infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) significantly increases the risk for Parkinson's disease (PD), new research shows.
The risk of developing PD is obviously multifactorial, and study shows that hepatitis C virus infection can be one of the risk factors.
More detailed neurological tests and functional images might help us detect early PD in anti-HCV–positive patients.
Mechanism
In most cases, exposure to HCV, a small, enveloped RNA virus, leads to chronic infection, causing progressive liver disease, including hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
In developed countries, HCV is transmitted largely by injection from illicit drug use.
The investigators found a 2.5-fold increased risk for PD in patients with HCV infection.
After adjustment for age, sex, and comorbidities, including hyperlipidemia, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, epilepsy diabetes, cirrhosis, stroke, and head injury, the association between HCV and PD remained statistically significant .
An analysis stratified by age, sex, or comorbidity found that a positive association between HCV and PD was maintained in patients under age 65 years, men, or those with a combination of any of the comorbidities. Being male and having comorbidities could represent "hits" in the "second hit" theory of PD.
The theory, is that HCV enters the central nervous system (CNS) by disrupting the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, altering dopaminergic neuronal transmission in the midbrain, and triggering neuro-inflammation, which results in neuronal damage. This damage could be the first "hit," with second "hits" possibly including age, male sex, other environmental exposures (such as pesticides), and head injury.
The link between HCV infection and PD is supported by findings that this infection might release inflammatory cytokines, such as sICAM-1 and RANTES signaling, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of PD.
Dementia Link
HCV infection has also been linked to dementia, another neurodegenerative disease. Although the mechanisms here are not well understood, it's believed that a similar pathogenesis may be at play.
In contrast to HCV, there is no evidence that HBV, which belongs to the Hepadnaviridae family, is neuroinvasive. An earlier study on rats showed that HBV does not induce dopaminergic neuronal toxicity.
But other viruses have been linked to PD. One of the best-known examples is the type A H1N1 influenza virus that caused the 1918 influenza pandemic.
It has been shown that people born during the time of the pandemic influenza outbreak of 1918 have a 2- to 3-fold increased risk of Parkinson's disease than those born prior to 1888 or after 1924.
Another example is HIV, the retrovirus that causes AIDS. HIV can quickly infect astrocyte and microglia (monocytic lineage), causing CNS involvement, said Dr Tsai. "It has been reported that 5% to 50% of all AIDS patients have some motor dysfunction, such as bradykinesia, cogwheel rigidity, and tremor.
Several other viruses, including Coxsackie, Japanese encephalitis B, western equine encephalitis, and herpes, may also be linked to parkinsonism.
There's no cause for alarm for individuals with hepatitis C — for most people, several risk factors must be present for Parkinson's to develop.
Infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) significantly increases the risk for Parkinson's disease (PD), new research shows.
The risk of developing PD is obviously multifactorial, and study shows that hepatitis C virus infection can be one of the risk factors.
More detailed neurological tests and functional images might help us detect early PD in anti-HCV–positive patients.
Mechanism
In most cases, exposure to HCV, a small, enveloped RNA virus, leads to chronic infection, causing progressive liver disease, including hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
In developed countries, HCV is transmitted largely by injection from illicit drug use.
The investigators found a 2.5-fold increased risk for PD in patients with HCV infection.
After adjustment for age, sex, and comorbidities, including hyperlipidemia, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, epilepsy diabetes, cirrhosis, stroke, and head injury, the association between HCV and PD remained statistically significant .
An analysis stratified by age, sex, or comorbidity found that a positive association between HCV and PD was maintained in patients under age 65 years, men, or those with a combination of any of the comorbidities. Being male and having comorbidities could represent "hits" in the "second hit" theory of PD.
The theory, is that HCV enters the central nervous system (CNS) by disrupting the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, altering dopaminergic neuronal transmission in the midbrain, and triggering neuro-inflammation, which results in neuronal damage. This damage could be the first "hit," with second "hits" possibly including age, male sex, other environmental exposures (such as pesticides), and head injury.
The link between HCV infection and PD is supported by findings that this infection might release inflammatory cytokines, such as sICAM-1 and RANTES signaling, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of PD.
Dementia Link
HCV infection has also been linked to dementia, another neurodegenerative disease. Although the mechanisms here are not well understood, it's believed that a similar pathogenesis may be at play.
In contrast to HCV, there is no evidence that HBV, which belongs to the Hepadnaviridae family, is neuroinvasive. An earlier study on rats showed that HBV does not induce dopaminergic neuronal toxicity.
But other viruses have been linked to PD. One of the best-known examples is the type A H1N1 influenza virus that caused the 1918 influenza pandemic.
It has been shown that people born during the time of the pandemic influenza outbreak of 1918 have a 2- to 3-fold increased risk of Parkinson's disease than those born prior to 1888 or after 1924.
Another example is HIV, the retrovirus that causes AIDS. HIV can quickly infect astrocyte and microglia (monocytic lineage), causing CNS involvement, said Dr Tsai. "It has been reported that 5% to 50% of all AIDS patients have some motor dysfunction, such as bradykinesia, cogwheel rigidity, and tremor.
Several other viruses, including Coxsackie, Japanese encephalitis B, western equine encephalitis, and herpes, may also be linked to parkinsonism.
There's no cause for alarm for individuals with hepatitis C — for most people, several risk factors must be present for Parkinson's to develop.