Human molecule able to block the toxic forms of the protein triggering Parkinson’s disease identified
Researchers at the UAB and the UniZar have identified a human peptide found in the brain that blocks the α-synuclein aggregates involved in Parkinson's disease and prevents their neurotoxicity. The study, published in Nature Communications, suggests that this could be one of the organism's natural mechanisms with which to fight aggregation. The discovery may help to develop new therapeutic and diagnosis strategies for Parkinson's disease and other synuclein pathologies.
The death of neurons specialised in the synthesis of dopamine, one of the brain's main neurotransmissors, deteriorates the motor and cognitive capacities of those with Parkinson's disease. The loss of these neurons is related to alpha-synuclein aggregation. Recent studies show that oligomers, the initial aggreg