NIA researchers discovered that individuals with a DNA variant that has an effect only in an immune cell present in the brain, called microglia, have an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Their study results, published July 27 in Science Translational Medicine, suggest scientists should consider cell type when examining possible causes of Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Microglia are special cells of the immune system that help protect the brain and nervous system by eating damaged cells or pathogens. The variant the researchers found originates in a region of DNA near the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene, but not inside of the gene. The researchers knew that mutations in the LRRK2 gene and in DNA regions close by LRRK2 contributed to Parkinson’s, but the mechanism for how these variants led to the development of the disease, as well as which cell types were involved, remained unknown.

To address the question, the researchers used brain samples that had previously been sequenced by the North American Brain Expression Consortium. The researchers performed single nuclei RNA sequencing to identify which types of cells in the brain had instructions for making the LRRK2 protein. Once they determined that multiple types of brain cells — including oligodendrocyte precursor cells, excitatory neurons, and microglia — could make lots of LRKK2 protein, they needed to verify which group of cells worked to increase the risk of Parkinson’s. The researchers established that one particular variant increased Parkinson’s risk through microglia, despite being present in many other cell types. The discovery advances the science a step closer to understanding the involvement of gene variants in disease progression.

Scientists have found that people who are members of families that develop late-stage Parkinson’s have mutations in the LRKK2 gene. The current results suggest that people who do not have a family history of the disease may benefit from therapies that inhibit LRKK2, currently in clinical trials. Additionally, the new findings imply microglia with dysfunctional LRKK2 protein may contribute to the inflammation and neuronal death seen in Parkinson’s.

This research was conducted by NIA Intramural Research Program scientists, projects ZIAAG000947 and Z01AG000949.

The main cause of skin cancer is the sun. Sunlamps and tanning booths can also cause skin cancer. Anyone, of any skin color, can get skin cancer. People with fair skin that freckles easily are at greatest risk. Skin cancer may be cured if it is found before it spreads to other parts of the body.

There are three types of skin cancers. Two types, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, grow slowly and rarely spread to other parts of the body. These types of cancer are usually found on parts of the skin most often exposed to the sun, like the head, face, neck, hands, and arms. But they can happen anywhere on your body. The third and most dangerous type of skin cancer is melanoma. It is rarer than the other types, but it can spread to other organs and be deadly.

Check your skin once a month for things that may be signs of cancer. Skin cancer is rarely painful. Look for changes such as a new growth, a sore that doesn’t heal, or a bleeding mole.

Some sun can be good for you, but to keep your skin healthy, be careful:

Limit time in the sun. It’s okay to go out during the day, but try to avoid being in sun during peak times when the sun’s rays are strongest. For example, during the summer, try to stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Don’t be fooled by cloudy skies. The sun’s rays can go through clouds. You can also get sunburned if you are in water, so be careful when you are in a pool, lake, or the ocean.

Use sunscreen. Look for sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) number of 15 or higher. It’s best to choose sunscreens with “broad spectrum” on the label. Put the sunscreen on 15 to 30 minutes before you go outside. Sunscreen should be reapplied at least every 2 hours. You need to put sunscreen on more often if you are swimming, sweating, or rubbing your skin with a towel.

Wear protective clothing. A hat with a wide brim can shade your neck, ears, eyes, and head. Look for sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of the sun’s rays. If you have to be in the sun, wear loose, lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and long pants or long skirts.

Avoid tanning. Don’t use sunlamps or tanning beds. Tanning pills are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and might not be safe.

Your skin may change with age. But remember, there are things you can do to help. Check your skin often. If you find any changes that worry you, see your doctor.

As you get older, a health care provider may recommend vaccinations, also known as shots or immunizations, to help prevent certain illnesses.

Talk with a doctor about which of the following vaccines you need. Make sure to protect yourself as much as possible by keeping your vaccinations up to date.

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that causes symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Older adults are more likely than younger people to get very sick from COVID-19. The disease can lead to serious illness and death.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that older adults stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including booster shots. Read more about COVID-19 vaccines from the CDC. Contact your local health department or visit Vaccines.gov to find out where you can get vaccinated.

Flu — short for influenza — is a virus that can cause fever, chills, sore throat, stuffy nose, headache, and muscle aches. Flu is very serious when it gets in your lungs. Older adults are at a higher risk for developing serious complications from the flu, such as pneumonia.

The flu is easy to pass from person to person. The virus also changes over time, which means you can get it again. To ensure flu vaccines remain effective, the vaccine is updated every year.

Ideally, you should get your vaccine by the end of October each year so you are protected when the flu season starts. It takes at least two weeks for the vaccine to be effective. However, if you have not received your flu vaccine by the end of October, it’s not too late — flu season typically peaks in December or January.

There are flu vaccines designed specifically for people age 65 and older. Medicare will pay for the vaccine, and so will private health insurance plans. You can get a flu vaccine at a doctor’s office or local health department, as well as at some grocery stores, drug stores, and pharmacies.

Pneumococcal disease is a serious infection that spreads from person to person by air. It often causes pneumonia in the lungs and it can affect other parts of the body. Older adults are at higher risk than younger people of getting very sick or dying from pneumococcal disease.

The CDC recommends that all adults 65 and older get pneumococcal vaccination. This vaccine will help protect you from getting a serious infection, including pneumonia. There are two types of pneumococcal vaccine available (PPSV23 and PCV13). Talk with a health care provider to find out which one is best for you, or if you need both.

Shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox. If you had chickenpox, the virus is still in your body. As you get older, the virus could become active again and cause shingles.

Shingles affects the nerves. Common symptoms include burning, shooting pain, tingling, and/or itching, as well as a rash with fluid-filled blisters. Even when the rash disappears, the pain can remain. This is called post-herpetic neuralgia, or PHN.

The shingles vaccine is safe, and it may keep you from getting shingles and PHN. Healthy adults age 50 and older should get vaccinated with the shingles vaccine.

You should get a shingles vaccine even if you’ve already had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine, or if you don’t remember whether you had chickenpox.

You can get the shingles vaccine at a doctor’s office and at some pharmacies. Medicare Part D and private health insurance plans may pay some or all of the cost. Check with Medicare or your health plan to find out if it is covered.