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Parkinson’s disease-related protein Parkin may rely on another protein called MITOL to repair damaged mitochondria, the small organelles that provide energy to cells and, when defective, can damage brain nerve cells. Understanding these molecular mechanisms may help improve Parkinson’s therapies that intend to boost Parkin activity. The study…

A new study highlights some of the differences in perspective on disease management between people living with Parkinson’s disease and doctors treating them. The study looks at non-motor symptoms, method of medication delivery, and awareness of support services as places where doctors’ and patients’ perceptions don’t line up, and suggests…

Connexin-32 — a protein found in small channels between nerve cells and involved in cell-to-cell communication — works to progress Parkinson’s disease by binding to alpha-synuclein and spreading toxic protein clumps throughout the brain, research suggests. The study, “Binding of α-synuclein oligomers to Cx32 facilitates protein uptake and transfer in…

Vitamin B12 can prevent the formation of and destroy alpha-synuclein aggregates in the brain, lowering their toxicity and potentially helping to alleviate Parkinson’s disease, according to a study. The study, “Vitamin B12 inhibits α-synuclein fibrillogenesis and protects against amyloid-induced cytotoxicity,” was published in the journal…

Measuring the amount of alpha-synuclein in tiny vesicles collected from blood serum may help diagnose early Parkinson’s and identify patients with different types of this disease. The study with that finding, “Central Nervous System-Derived Exosomal Alpha-Synuclein in Serum May Be a Biomarker in Parkinson’s Disease,” was published…