The researchers believe the H5N1 infection sparks an immune response that persists long after the initial threat is gone, setting patients up for further devastating losses from a second hit, possibly from another infection, drug or environmental toxin.
In this case, they believe, the flu virus is the first hit that sets up development of Parkinson's at a later time.
While previous studies had isolated H5N1 in the nervous system, this is the first time that any study has shown the path the virus takes to enter the brain as well as the aftermath of the infection.
Smeyne said that the virus' path from the stomach through the nervous system and into the brain is reminiscent of how Parkinson's unfolds.
Source-ANI
ARU