Genetic disease offers insights for Parkinson’s treatment 

A rare nerve disorder may offer clues to potential Parkinson’s disease treatment targets, a mouse study showed. In giant axonal neuropathy (GAN), buildup of neurofilament proteins trap several cellular organelles and proteins, preventing nerve cells from clearing and recycling waste, the study found. Because neurofilament proteins have also been…

Alpha-synuclein lifts up at cell membranes; may promote clumping

When the alpha-synuclein protein is present at high concentrations around cellular membranes, it lifts up rather than lying flat against the membrane, making it more prone to clumping, a study shows. The finding may offer insight into the molecular mechanisms that drive Parkinson’s disease, where toxic clumps of alpha-synuclein…

Molecular Link Found Between Parkinson’s and Skin Cancer

Researchers have found a molecular link between Parkinson’s disease and melanoma, a type of skin cancer, in the form of protein clumps. Their study results were presented at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society this week. A hallmark of Parkinson’s disease is the buildup of alpha-synuclein protein…

Excessive Calcium Levels in Brain May Play Role in Parkinson’s Disease

Excessive levels of calcium in the brain may trigger the formation of toxic protein clumps that typify Parkinson’s disease. This finding could be a new treatment target for researchers working to understand how and why people develop the neurodegenerative disease. The research, “C-terminal calcium binding of α-synuclein modulates synaptic vesicle…