Joana Fernandes, PhD,  —

Aggregation of the alpha-synuclein (α-synuclein) protein – a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease – may be influenced by salt levels within neurons, according to results of a new study. Researchers expect these findings may bring insight into the pathology of Parkinson’s disease and other protein aggregation-related diseases. Results of the study,…

Researchers have identified an interactive triangle of proteins whose activity may be regulated to prevent loss of the brain’s dopaminergic neurons, whose diminishment leads to Parkinson’s disease. One of these proteins, called PARIS, contributes to the death of the neurons. Targeting it could lead to therapies for Parkinson’s, the researchers…

Researchers have identified more than 300 genes that influence alpha-synuclein’s toxicity, and among them are many known to predispose individuals to Parkinson’s disease (PD), researchers said. The finding provides new insight into what mechanisms lead to the disease. The hallmark of Parkinson’s disease is the formation of alpha-synuclein protein aggregates, which…

Astrocytes are brain cells usually known for their protective role toward neurons in various conditions, such as stroke and spinal cord injury. Researchers have now found they also can exert a damaging effect in neurons under certain circumstances and lead to several diseases, such as Parkinson’s. The research work establishes that…

Squalamine, a natural product known for its cancer- and infection-fighting qualities, has shown promise as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease, according to preliminary results of a new study. The research, “A Natural Product Inhibits The Initiation Of α-Synuclein Aggregation And Suppresses Its Toxicity,” was published in the journal…

Visual and tactile stimuli prompt neurons deep in the brain to release the dopamine whose production is limited in Parkinson’s-disease patients, according to a study using fish. Researchers said the neurons they identified also control facets of the fish’s basic behavior. If they are found to control motor behavior as well,…

The hallmark of Parkinson’s disease is the formation of aggregates of the protein alpha-synuclein, which are toxic to neurons and promote the loss of brain function. A new animal study suggests these aggregates can form in the gut and, in the course of months, spread to the brain. These findings were…

New research helps to explain how alpha-synuclein — the defective protein causing Parkinson’s disease — achieves its structure in neurons. These findings may help understand how aggregates of alpha-synuclein form in the brain of a Parkinson’s patient. The study, “Structural Basis For The Dissociation Of Α-Synuclein Fibrils Triggered By…

Researchers have found a link between neuronal activity and the strength of gripping force created during a physical action, according to a new study. This discovery may help understanding of what mechanisms contribute to abnormal movement in patients with Parkinson’s disease, and provide new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of…

A defect in the GCH1 gene, which encodes an essential protein for dopamine production in the brain, may accelerate the development of Parkinson’s disease, especially in people younger than 50, according to new research. The study, “Aging Modifies The Effect Of GCH1 RS11158026 On DAT Uptake And Parkinson’s Disease…