title: Parkinson's disease may be due to failure of melanin in the Substantia Nigra to produce molecular hydrogen from dissociation of water, to protect the brain from oxidative stress.
abstract: Melanin, a hybrid electronic/ionic conductor may have the potential to split the water molecule into molecular hydrogen and molecular oxygen. Molecular hydrogen is an antioxidant and may be instrumental in preventing the excessive oxidation leading to Parkinson's disease. Melanin, located in the Substantia Nigra, deteriorates in Parkinson's disease so may be related to the development and progression of the disease, since molecular hydrogen would no longer be generated as it deteriorates. Environmental toxins, thought to be related to development of Parkinson's disease, may cause deterioration of intrinsic melanin, since it is a chelator which would collect such environmental contaminants, but its function of splitting the water molecule into molecular hydrogen and oxygen could be effected as a consequence. Restoring melanin function or providing supplemental molecular hydrogen might be potential treatments for Parkinson's disease.
authors: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Montelone Hall, 1438 South Grand BoulevardSaint Louis, Missouri 63104, United States of America. Electronic address: SBren20979@aol.com.
authors: Steven
authors: S
authors: Brenner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002151:Calorimetry; D006801:Humans; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000737:chemistry*; D008543:Melanins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000473:pathology*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D008543:Melanins; D014867:Water; D006859:Hydrogen