Different brain cells determine which form of alpha-synuclein will be responsible for different Parkinson’s-related disorders, a new study suggests. The research, “Cellular milieu imparts distinct pathological α-synuclein strains in α-synucleinopathies,” was published in the journal Nature. Aggregates of the protein alpha-synuclein are characteristic of Parkinson’s, Lewy body…
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Scientists are closer to understanding how toxic alpha-synuclein (α-syn) aggregates affect the nerve cells involved in memory, which may point to new therapeutic strategies to prevent the development of cognitive dysfunction in Parkinson’s and Lewy body dementias. The study, “α-Synuclein fibril-induced paradoxical structural and functional defects in…
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Enzyme Tied to Inflammation and Progression in Parkinson’s May Hold Key to Treatment, Study Says
Blocking an enzyme associated with inflammation and disease progression in Parkinson’s patients may by a promising way of treating this neurodegenerative disorder, new research suggests. The study, “Soluble epoxide hydrolase plays a key role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease,” was published in the journal Proceedings of the…
Charles River Laboratories International and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) extended their collaboration to accelerate the discovery of Parkinson’s disease therapies. The extension covers grants from MJFF to characterize two animal models of Parkinson’s — one where mice do not express alpha-synuclein (knockout), and another…
Deregulation of calcium levels in nerve cells has been linked to early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Now, researchers at Aarhus University have found that inhibition of a protein called SERCA can prevent calcium variations and protect nerve cells from degeneration. This finding may open new therapeutic avenues to treat…
Researchers have generated a new mouse model that can be used for in-depth studies of disease mechanisms and new therapeutic possibilities for Parkinson’s disease. Although the function of the protein α-synuclein is unknown, its accumulation in clumps known as Lewy bodies, hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease, suggests this protein plays a…
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) has launched an educational suite called “Parkinson’s Clinical Trial Companion” to increase patients’ participation in clinical trials. The new resource educates patients and families about the benefits of participating in research, and provides teams conducting clinical trials with high-quality…
The most common gene mutation in Parkinson’s triggers disease outside the brain by changing the body’s immune response to common infections, a study in mice reports. The research, “Mutant LRRK2 mediates peripheral and central immune responses leading to neurodegeneration in vivo,” was published in the journal Brain.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) announced a new $7 million funding program to support Parkinson’s disease research and accelerate development of new therapeutic targets and biomarkers. Through the program, researchers can request project funding in four major research areas. The organization is now accepting pre-proposals through May 2018,…
There still are no reliable biomarkers for early detection, or to characterize and predict risk of dementia, in Parkinson’s disease, according to a recent analysis. Several studies on the cognitive deficits, progression to dementia, potential biomarkers and the mechanisms underlying Parkinson’s disease mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI)…