The COVID-19 pandemic may be over, but our immune systems are still feeling the impact. After years of battling constant viral threats, from COVID-19 to seasonal flu and other infections, our body’s defense system is exhausted. Many people continue to experience lingering inflammation, frequent illnesses, and slower recovery times. This extended state of immune stress has compromised us further to chronic illness, including autoimmune diseases and even neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's. So why is our immune system still in trouble? And how do we give it its power back? Understanding immune exhaustion is the beginning of rebuilding our body's natural immunity.

A weakened immune system makes people more susceptible to disease, mental illnesses, and even sleep disorders. Now, new research indicates that immune system depletion may play an important role in the onset of Parkinson's disease, a degenerative neurologic disorder that compromises movement and cognition.

Role of Inflammation in Parkinson's Disease

Dysfunctional immune response is a leading cause of long-standing inflammation within the body, that has been found to contribute towards a multitude of conditions, including cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, depression, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.

As people age, their immune system naturally becomes less effective. This deterioration, referred to as immune exhaustion, may be a key contributor to the onset and progression of Parkinson’s disease. Rebecca Wallings, a Parkinson’s Foundation Launch Award grant recipient and senior postdoctoral fellow at the University of Florida, believes that an accumulation of exhausted immune cells could be driving neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s patients.

How a Tired Immune System Might Affect Parkinson's?

Parkinson's disease is most commonly linked with the degeneration and loss of dopaminergic neurons—motor nerve cells that produce dopamine, an essential neurotransmitter for movement. While researchers have long suspected inflammation is involved in this neurodegeneration, the mechanisms are not yet well understood.

Wallings' study is on immune cell exhaustion, a process by which aging immune cells fail to control immune responses effectively. Her research indicates that instead of dampening inflammation in Parkinson's patients, attempts should be made to rejuvenate the immune system to regain its functionality.

Energy Deficiency in Immune Cells

One of the major findings of Wallings' work is the function of mitochondrial impairment in immune cell exhaustion. Mitochondria are commonly called the powerhouses of cells, as they are vital for generating energy. As mitochondria age and become inefficient, immune cells fail to function well, potentially accelerating neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease.

Wallings has found that mutations in the LRRK2 gene, a recognized genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease, are linked with defective mitochondrial function and immune cell exhaustion. Her current work includes testing various therapeutic approaches to restore mitochondrial function in immune cells with the potential to enhance the immune system and potentially prevent or treat Parkinson's disease.

Will Rejuvenating the Immune System Help in Treatment?

For decades, the standard practice in treating Parkinson's has been to suppress brain inflammation. Yet Wallings' work indicates that instead of slowing down immune responses, restoring the immune system could be a more successful strategy. By addressing mitochondrial impairment and immune resilience, researchers can potentially reverse or slow down Parkinson's disease.

Wallings is now looking into how to rejuvenate immune cells by fixing mitochondria. She studies immune cells from patients with Parkinson's as well as from healthy subjects and performs experiments on animal models to determine if rejuvenation of the immune system could result in improved disease outcomes.

Lifestyle Factors That May Affect Parkinson's Risk

While there is no cure for Parkinson's disease, some lifestyle adjustments may decrease the chances of developing the illness. Since neurodegenerative diseases are associated with chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction, developing habits that enhance immune function might prove helpful.

Diet: There is evidence to suggest that eating in accordance with the Mediterranean or MIND diets, both high in antioxidants, healthy fats, and anti-inflammatory foods, can encourage brain wellness and reduce Parkinson's risk.

Avoiding Dangerous Substances: Restricting alcohol and nicotine use can maintain a robust immune system and suppress inflammation.

Reducing Stress: Chronic stress weakens immune function, so methods such as meditation, exercise, and sufficient sleep can lead to improved overall well-being.

Born without a brain, Alex Simpson of Nebraska defied all odds by celebrating her 20th birthday recently; doctors said she wouldn’t live past age four. Alex’s remarkable milestone made the news headlines; her parents Shawn and Lorena Simpson, shared her inspiring story with local news outlet KETV.

Hydranencephaly is very rare, affecting an estimated 1 in 5,000 to 1 in 10,000 pregnancies.

Alex was born with a condition where most of her brain is missing. As her father, Shawn, explained, "Hydranencephaly means that her brain is not there." He noted that she only has a small portion of her cerebellum, about "half the size of my pinky finger"—in the back of her head, but little else.

Tragically, doctors initially told the family that Alex was not expected to live past the age of four.

Can A Person Live Without A Brain?

Hydranencephaly, according to the Cleveland Clinic, is most often fatal within the first year of life, making Alex’s 20th birthday an exceptional medical outlier and a true testament to her strength and her family's devotion.

Hydranencephaly is a very rare birth defect that affects the central nervous system. A baby born with this condition is missing a significant part of the brain called the cerebral hemispheres.

Missing Parts

The cerebral hemispheres are the two large, front halves of the brain (the cerebrum). These parts are responsible for higher functions like thinking, memory, and movement control.

Fluid-Filled Sacs

Instead of the actual brain tissue, there are large sacs filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This is the fluid that normally acts as a cushion for the brain and spinal cord.

Outlook

Because so much of the brain is missing, the condition is usually fatal either before birth or shortly afterward. Babies who survive often develop an enlarged head and have severe symptoms.

What Causes A Baby To Be Born Without A Brain?

The Cleveland Clinic explains that abnormal brain formation happens during early pregnancy and it can be caused by a birth defect, injury, or illness. The exact cause is unknown. Scientists suspect it might be inherited, but they don't fully understand the pattern. Some cases have been linked to exposure to harmful substances during pregnancy.

Does Hydranencephaly Have Symptoms?

A baby born with hydranencephaly might seem normal at first. Symptoms usually appear within the first few weeks or months:

Head Size: The head gets larger than normal.

Growth Problems: Failure to gain weight or grow well ("failure to thrive").

Muscle Issues: Muscles might be too stiff (rigid arms/legs) or have increased or decreased tone and twitching.

Basic Senses: Problems with seeing and hearing.

Breathing: Difficulty breathing.

How is Hydranencephaly Diagnosed and Treated?

It can be spotted during a prenatal ultrasound, which uses sound waves to check the baby. If hydranencephaly is suspected, an MRI might be used for clearer pictures of the missing brain tissue.

If it wasn't seen before birth, a doctor will make the diagnosis based on the baby's symptoms and a detailed brain MRI. Other tests like a CT scan, angiography, which is an X-ray of blood vessels, or genetic testing may also be used.

There is no cure for hydranencephaly. So, the treatment focuses on making the baby as comfortable as possible and managing the symptoms:

Fluid Management

Surgery to place a shunt, which is a thin tube, can drain excess fluid from the skull to reduce pressure, which helps manage the enlarging head, though its effectiveness is limited compared to hydrocephalus.

Medication

Antiseizure medications may be given to control twitching or spasms.

Supportive Care

This includes nutritional support (feeding), physical therapy to help with muscle problems, and sometimes a tracheostomy or ventilator if the baby has trouble breathing.

Symptoms of menopause vary a lot, and many people do not know just how many ways menopause can affect a woman’s health. To explain it, Dr Jay Jagannathan, board-certified neurosurgeon pointed out how menopause can also neurologically affect women as well.

Menopause is the natural end to the reproductive years of a woman. However, what most people are not aware of is the way menopause can affect a woman’s health. In fact, even women are not as informed about it. In a 2022 study published in the Women’s Health journal, in their survey of 738 women showed that over 80% of them had no knowledge or some knowledge of menopause. This revealed that most women under 40 have limited education of menopause.

To tackle this, a lot of doctors like Dr Jagannathan take to social media and help educate more people about it.

Does Menopause Affect The Brain?

In the video caption, Dr. Jagannathan explained that when people talk about menopause, they usually focus on hot flashes, changes in mood, or concerns about bone thinning. But what's often missed is the major effect hormonal changes have on your brain. He further explained how estrogen is more than just a reproductive hormone—it functions as a neuroprotective shield for the brain.

• It plays a key role in regulating blood flow.
• It helps reduce inflammation.
• It actively protects brain cells from stress and damage.

When estrogen levels decline significantly during and after menopause, this vital protection weakens, leaving the brain more vulnerable.

How Does Hormone Decline Put Women At Neurological Risk?

When estrogen levels fall sharply during the menopausal transition, this vital protection is lost, which is why we see a rise in specific brain issues:

Increased Risk of Silent Strokes

A silent stroke is a tiny blockage in the brain's blood vessels that you usually don't notice. Over time, these small blockages add up and quietly damage areas of the brain, leading to problems with memory and thinking. Without estrogen's help to keep vessels healthy, these silent strokes become more common.

Accelerated Memory Decline

Memory is often the first thing affected. Women may notice they are more forgetful, have trouble finding the right words, or feel mentally "slow." This is partly because the areas of the brain responsible for memory are very sensitive to the drop in estrogen.

Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and Persistent Cognitive Fog

Cognitive fog is that temporary feeling of being mentally fuzzy or unable to concentrate. Alzheimer's is a serious disease that causes severe memory loss. The loss of estrogen's protection is a major risk factor that increases the chances of developing Alzheimer's and experiencing chronic brain fog decades later.

How Can You Protect Your Brain During Menopause?

Dr Jagannath assures that it can be controlled. We can proactively manage this biological reality. Based on my clinical guidance, here are essential steps to safeguard your brain health:

• Control blood pressure and cholesterol, the health of the brain's vessels relies on it.
• Maintain consistent physical and mental activity.
• Focus on achieving restorative, high-quality sleep.
• Talk to your doctor about your hormone levels and overall vascular health; early monitoring is crucial.

He concluded the post by warning not to wait until problems start. Discussing your menopausal symptoms, hormone levels, and risk factors (like a family history of heart disease or dementia) with your doctor allows for early intervention, which might include hormone therapy or other medications to protect your vessels and brain.

In the past, heart problems were often seen as frightening and potentially fatal. While cardiac conditions remain serious, advances in heart medicine over recent years have dramatically improved treatment success and reduced risks. Among these modern options, lasers are proving to be highly effective. Laser angioplasty is one such procedure that allows cardiologists and vascular surgeons to remove plaque, a major cause of coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease.

What Is Laser Angioplasty?

Laser angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure where a laser is used to break down plaque inside arteries. Unlike traditional angioplasty, which uses a balloon to widen arteries, this method targets difficult or stubborn blockages that are hard to treat otherwise. A thin catheter carrying the laser is guided to the blocked area, where the laser vaporizes the plaque and restores blood flow. This technique can help patients avoid open-heart surgery and often leads to shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery, according to Stanford Health Care.

Laser Angioplasty Procedure

Before the procedure, a specialist—either an interventional cardiologist or vascular surgeon—evaluates the patient’s overall health and determines whether laser angioplasty is appropriate. As per NIH, Once approved, the process generally follows these steps:

• The patient is placed under general anesthesia.
• A small incision is made in the groin.
• Using X-ray imaging, a guide wire is inserted through the femoral artery to reach the blockage.
• A catheter is threaded over the wire to the site of the plaque.
• The laser is passed through the catheter to the blockage, where it vaporizes the fatty deposits. X-ray imaging and contrast dye are used to monitor the process.
• Once the plaque is cleared, the laser, catheter, and wire are removed, and the incision is closed.
• Patients are monitored afterward and, depending on their condition, may be able to go home the next day.

Advantages of Laser Angioplasty Over Traditional Methods

Laser angioplasty offers several benefits compared with conventional balloon angioplasty or bypass surgery. The laser can precisely vaporize plaque and thrombus, allowing treatment of chronic or heavily calcified blockages. This precision often results in shorter hospital stays and faster recovery, helping patients get back to normal life sooner.

For patients with in-stent restenosis or total occlusions, laser angioplasty can achieve results that might otherwise require multiple procedures or open-heart surgery. Its ability to target tough blockages makes it an invaluable tool in modern cardiac care.

Risks and Considerations

While laser angioplasty is generally safe when performed by experienced specialists, it does carry some risks. Similar to standard angioplasty, complications like hematoma at the catheter site, arterial perforation, or acute thrombosis can occur. Specific to the laser procedure, there may also be vessel injury, spasm, embolism, or bleeding

Patient selection is very important. The procedure may not be suitable for arteries that are extremely curved, tortuous, or involve the left main coronary artery. There is also a chance the artery may narrow again, requiring repeat procedures or bypass surgery. Despite these considerations, the benefits of laser angioplasty—including precise targeting and faster recovery—make it a promising option for many patients.