5 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) : A new scientific study suggests that targeting specific brain networks, rather than focusing on isolated brain regions, could significantly improve the effectiveness of treatments for Parkinson’s disease. The findings mark a shift in how researchers understand and approach the neurological disorder, which affects millions of people worldwide and is known for causing tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with movement.
Parkinson’s disease is traditionally linked to the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in a specific area of the brain. Most current treatments, including medications and deep brain stimulation (DBS), are designed to compensate for this dopamine loss or stimulate particular brain regions to reduce symptoms. While these approaches have helped many patients, their effectiveness can vary widely, and symptoms often progress over time.
The new study highlights that Parkinson’s is not just a disease of individual brain areas, but one that disrupts entire neural networks responsible for movement, coordination, and cognitive function. According to researchers, treatments that take these interconnected networks into account may lead to better and more consistent outcomes for patients.
Using advanced brain imaging and computational modelling, scientists examined how different regions of the brain communicate in people with Parkinson’s disease. They found that abnormal signalling patterns extend across multiple brain circuits, influencing both motor and non-motor symptoms. These findings help explain why targeting a single brain region may not fully address the complexity of the disease.
One of the most promising implications of the study relates to deep brain stimulation, a surgical treatment used for patients with advanced Parkinson’s. DBS involves implanting electrodes in specific parts of the brain to regulate abnormal activity. While effective for many, some patients experience limited benefits or unwanted side effects.
The researchers suggest that refining DBS to target entire brain networks—rather than fixed anatomical locations—could improve symptom control and reduce side effects. By identifying network “hotspots” that play a central role in disease-related dysfunction, clinicians may be able to personalise stimulation settings more precisely for each patient.
The study also raises the possibility of improving drug-based treatments. Medications that influence network activity, rather than simply boosting dopamine levels, could help address symptoms that are less responsive to traditional therapies, such as balance problems, gait issues, and cognitive changes.
Experts say the research supports a growing trend in neuroscience toward network-based treatment strategies. Similar approaches are already being explored in conditions such as depression, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s disease, where disruptions in brain connectivity play a key role.
Importantly, the study may help explain why Parkinson’s symptoms differ so widely among patients. Variations in how brain networks are affected could account for differences in disease progression, treatment response, and quality of life. Understanding these patterns could lead to more personalised and adaptive treatment plans.
Neurologists not involved in the research have welcomed the findings, calling them a step forward in understanding the complexity of Parkinson’s disease. They note that while the results are encouraging, further clinical trials will be needed to translate network-based insights into routine medical practice.
The researchers emphasised that their work does not replace existing treatments but aims to enhance them. By combining traditional approaches with network-level targeting, future therapies could become more effective and long-lasting.
For patients and caregivers, the findings offer hope that Parkinson’s treatment may become more precise and less trial-and-error in the years ahead. As research continues, targeting brain networks could open the door to new therapies that slow symptom progression and improve daily functioning.
With Parkinson’s disease expected to rise globally due to ageing populations, advances in treatment strategies are becoming increasingly urgent. Studies like this suggest that understanding the brain as an interconnected system may be key to tackling complex neurological disorders more effectively.
Summary:
A new study suggests targeting disrupted brain networks, rather than single regions, could improve Parkinson’s treatments, offering more precise therapies and better symptom control for patients.