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alpha-synuclein

·July 28, 2017·4 min read

A New Insight into Parkinson’s Disease Protein

A Nature Neuroscience study reveals the normal role of alpha-synuclein, a protein implicated in Parkinson's disease. Researchers say understanding how the protein normally acts may give insights into how it might fail.

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·July 27, 2017·3 min read

Immune System May Mount Attack in Parkinson’s

Researchers report T cells in Parkinson's disease patients respond to alpha synuclein to a greater degree than those without the disease. The Nature study reports four genetic variations are associated with T cell reactivity to alpha synuclein. More than 50% of Parkinson's patients carry at least one of the gene variants.

Image shows a doctor looking at brain scans.

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·July 9, 2017·5 min read

What’s the Difference Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia?

A common misconception is that Alzheimer's disease and dementia are the same thing. Alzheimer's disease is simply one form of dementia. Researchers from Texas A&M describe how Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia impact the lives of both patients and their families, and provide new insights into minimizing the risks of developing neurodegenerative conditions.

Image shows a Parkinson's disease brain sample.

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·July 3, 2017·4 min read

Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Spurred By Same Enzyme

Researchers have implicated an enzyme that appears to make both Tau and alpha synculein more toxic in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Inhibiting this enzyme has already proved helpful in treating animal models of Alzheimer's disease. The researchers report they are moving on to testing drugs that inhibit AEP in animal models of Parkinson's disease.

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·June 21, 2017·4 min read

Parkinson’s is Partly an Autoimmune Disease

T cells may be tricked into thinking dopamine neurons are foreign due to the build up of damaged alpha-synuclein, a new study reports.

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·June 15, 2017·5 min read

Study Suggests Parkinson’s Could Start in Gut Endocrine Cells

Researchers suggest an agent in the gut could interfere with alpha-synuclein in endocrine cells, deforming the proteins which then may spread to the brain in Parkinson's patients.

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·June 5, 2017·4 min read

CRISPR Leads to New Screening Tool for Parkinson’s

CRISPR technology allows researchers to illuminate and monitor alpha synuclein in the brain.

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·May 23, 2017·5 min read

Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s Share Common Crucial Feature

Findings may explain how neurodegenerative diseases spread throughout the brain and disrupt normal functions. Additionally, treatment for one disease could possibly work for the other two also.

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·May 19, 2017·5 min read

Disrupted Fat Breakdown in the Brain of Mice Makes Them Dumb

Blocking the breakdown of a specific fat molecule in the the brains of mice lead to reduced learning ability and memory retention. Additionally, researchers noted an increase of Alzheimer's related proteins. Findings may help explain how dementia may develop in humans, researchers say.

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·May 16, 2017·5 min read

Study Offers Answers on Life Expectancy For Those With Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia

A new study reveals information about life expectancy for those with Parkinson's and other synucleinopathies.

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·May 3, 2017·5 min read

Antibiotic Doxycycline May Offer Hope As Parkinson’s Treatment

Lower doses of the common antibiotic Doxycycline reduces toxicity of alpha synuclein and may be used to help treat Parkinson's disease, a new study reports.