Yale scientists may have found how Parkinson's disease spreads through the brain
Yale researchers have identified two proteins, mGluR4 and NPDC1, that facilitate the spread of misfolded alpha-synuclein proteins between neurons in Parkinson's disease. This discovery provides a potential target for new therapies aimed at slowing or halting the progression of the neurological disorder.
Why it matters
Understanding the molecular mechanism of protein transmission could lead to breakthrough treatments for millions of Parkinson's patients worldwide.
Parkinson's disease may spread through the brain with the help of two proteins found on the surface of motor neurons, according to new research from Yale School of Medicine (YSM). The discovery could open the door to treatments designed to slow or even stop the disease instead of only managing its symptoms.
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder in which brain cells gradually become damaged and die. A key feature of the disease is the buildup of a misfolded protein called -synuclein. As this toxic protein moves from one neuron to another, it contributes to the worsening of symptoms over time.
Until now, scientists have not fully understood how -synuclein enters healthy neurons after escaping from dying ones. A new study published in Nature Communications points to two membrane proteins, mGluR4 and NPDC1, as critical transporters that help carry the misfolded protein into healthy brain cells.
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