Both a misfolded form of the alpha-synuclein protein and an inflammatory cue are needed to trigger the Lewy bodies that drive the death of dopaminergic neurons in the brains of people with Parkinson’s disease, according to a study in human stem cells. “The results support previous research showing that…

Scientists at Purdue University are advancing in lab studies multiple small molecule compounds aiming to prevent the protein aggregation associated with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and type 2 diabetes, and to safely get rid of existing clumps. Protein aggregation is the term for when proteins — usually abnormal or misfolded…

Using a newly created probe and non-invasive PET scans, researchers were able to visualize sites of alpha-synuclein protein clumps — associated with nerve damage in Parkinson’s disease — in the brains of living patients, scientists reported. This method may help in diagnosing conditions related to alpha-synuclein clumping, referred to…

Winners of the 2022 edition of the $3 million Cure One, Cure Many Award for the early diagnosis of Lewy body dementia (LBD) have been announced by its promoter, the American Brain Foundation. They are the Mayo Clinic’s Owen A. Ross, PhD, Pamela J. McLean, PhD, and…

A new molecule — a peptide tweaked by scientists in the laboratory — has the potential to prevent the misfolding and toxic aggregation, or clumping, of misfolded alpha-synuclein protein, a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease, a study shows. This study, supported by funds from Alzheimer’s Research U.K., paves the…

Researchers developed “mini-brains” — midbrain-like organoids — that recapitulate for a first time two key Parkinson’s hallmarks in that organ: the formation of toxic protein clumps known as Lewy bodies and the loss of dopamine-producing neurons. A combination of two known Parkinson’s risk factors — a deficiency of the beta-glucocerebrosidase…

As one of my sister Bev’s caregivers and a former nurse, I try to educate family members and friends about Parkinson’s disease (PD) to increase awareness and understanding and advocate for my sister. Bev was diagnosed in 2017. She’s now 83 and has stage 3 PD. I am…

The formation of toxic clumps of the protein alpha-synuclein, a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease, was not affected by reducing levels of tau, a protein that also forms aggregates in both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, a mouse study suggested. These results imply that the role of tau in…

The levels of a specific RNA molecule that provides instructions to make the alpha-synuclein protein may help, at an early stage, to distinguish patients with Parkinson’s disease from those with dementia with Lewy bodies, a study has found. Researchers said these results highlight the importance of exploring the potential…

The natural compound kaempferol — which acts as a potent antioxidant — can reduce the physical and behavioral symptoms of Parkinson’s in a fruit fly model of the disease. According to the researchers, this molecule may exert its protective effects by…