# 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.
> 黒質メラニンによる水分子解離と水素産生の失敗がパーキンソン病の原因となる可能性についての仮説


## Abstract

This hypothesis paper proposes that neuromelanin in the Substantia Nigra, functioning as a hybrid electronic/ionic conductor, may be capable of dissociating water molecules into molecular hydrogen and oxygen. The resulting hydrogen could act as an endogenous antioxidant, limiting excessive oxidative damage to dopaminergic neurons. In Parkinson's disease, progressive melanin degeneration would reduce this hydrogen-generating capacity, thereby permitting unchecked oxidative stress. Additionally, because melanin acts as a chelator, it may accumulate environmental toxins that further impair its water-splitting function, accelerating neuronal loss. The paper suggests that restoring melanin activity or supplying exogenous molecular hydrogen could represent strategies for reducing oxidative burden in this condition.

### Mechanism

Neuromelanin in the Substantia Nigra is proposed to split water into molecular hydrogen and oxygen; the hydrogen suppresses oxidative stress. Melanin degeneration—potentially accelerated by chelated environmental toxins—abolishes this protective hydrogen production, allowing oxidative neuronal damage to progress.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Brenner S
- **Journal**: Med Hypotheses
- **Year**: 2014
- **PMID**: [24529916](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24529916/)
- **DOI**: [10.1016/j.mehy.2014.01.013](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2014.01.013)
- **Study type**: other
- **Delivery route**: not specified
- **Effect reported**: not assessed

## Delivery context

The delivery route is not clearly identifiable from this paper. For hydrogen intake, inhalation is the most efficient route; inhalation, however, carries explosion risk (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration devices are not recommended).

## Safety notes

The delivery route is not clearly identifiable from this paper. For hydrogen intake, inhalation is the most efficient route; inhalation, however, carries explosion risk (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration devices are not recommended).

See also:
- [Inhalation concentration and LFL / UFL](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/inhalation-concentration)
- [Consumer Affairs Agency accident cases](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/accident-cases)

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> **Cite as**: H2 Papers — PMID 24529916. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/24529916
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [24529916](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24529916/)