Tag

Alpha Synuclein

All articles tagged with #alpha synuclein

science21 hours ago

Pesticide chlorpyrifos linked to nearly triple Parkinson's risk, UCLA study finds

A UCLA-led study links long-term chlorpyrifos exposure to about a 2.74-fold increase in Parkinson's disease risk, based on 829 PD cases and 824 controls using California pesticide-use data and residence/work addresses; animal models show dopamine neuron loss and alpha-synuclein buildup with autophagy disruption, which can be mitigated by stimulating autophagy, supporting a likely causal link while noting many factors influence PD and that chlorpyrifos use persists in the US.

health7 months ago

Potential FDA-Approved Treatment for Parkinson's Discovered

Researchers have identified how a surface protein called Aplp1 interacts with Lag3 to facilitate the spread of toxic alpha-synuclein in Parkinson's disease. An existing FDA-approved cancer drug targeting Lag3 has been shown to block this process in mice, suggesting a potential treatment for Parkinson's may already exist. Further testing on mouse models is planned to explore this promising approach.

science1 year ago

Texas Researcher Honored with MJFF Award for Parkinson's Breakthrough

Claudio Soto, a Texas scientist, has been awarded the Robert A. Pritzker Prize by the Michael J. Fox Foundation for his pioneering work in Parkinson's research. Soto developed the alpha-synuclein seed amplification assay (AlphaSyn-SAA), a technique that detects misfolded alpha-synuclein in cerebrospinal fluid, enabling early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. This breakthrough has the potential to transform clinical trials and improve early detection and treatment of Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases.

healthcareneuroscience1 year ago

"AI Accelerates Parkinson's Treatment Discovery and Diagnosis"

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have utilized AI and machine learning techniques to identify five promising compounds that prevent the harmful clumping of alpha-synuclein, a key protein in Parkinson’s disease. This AI-driven approach has accelerated the screening process tenfold and reduced costs significantly, potentially expediting the development of new treatments for Parkinson's. The findings represent a crucial advancement in drug discovery for neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson's, which affects over six million people globally and is projected to triple by 2040.

neuroscience1 year ago

Unveiling the Aggregation of Proteins in Parkinson's Disease

Researchers have used computational models to understand the aggregation of alpha-synuclein protein, a key factor in Parkinson’s disease development. The study reveals that environmental factors such as molecule crowding and ionic changes enhance aggregation through distinct mechanisms. This research not only advances our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases but also offers new avenues for exploring therapeutic interventions.

health1 year ago

"Skin Test for Parkinson's: A Breakthrough in Disease Detection"

A skin biopsy test called Syn-One has shown promise in detecting alpha-synuclein clumps, a hallmark feature of Parkinson's disease and related conditions, with positive results in over 90% of patients in a recent NIH-sponsored clinical trial. The test, developed by CND Life Sciences, offers a less invasive and more convenient diagnostic pathway compared to traditional methods, such as spinal taps. The study's findings suggest that the Syn-One Test could be a valuable tool for early disease diagnosis and may aid in improving care for patients with synucleinopathies.

health1 year ago

"Skin Biopsy: A New Tool for Detecting Parkinson's Disease"

A skin biopsy test has shown high accuracy in detecting an abnormal form of alpha-synuclein, the pathological hallmark of Parkinson’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders. The study, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, demonstrated the reliability of this cutaneous method as a tool for more accurate diagnoses, potentially offering better care for patients. The research may also aid in accelerating drug development for these complex diseases.

health1 year ago

"Proposed Parkinson's Staging Framework Revolutionizes Disease Classification"

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research has proposed a new framework, the neuronal alpha-synuclein disease integrated staging system (NSD-ISS), for defining and staging Parkinson’s disease based on its underlying biology rather than by hallmark disease symptoms. This framework, described in a position paper published in The Lancet Neurology, aims to provide a standardized tool for researchers and industry to speed therapy development and facilitate clinical trials for disease prevention. The NSD-ISS is based on disease stages ranging from zero to six, and experts believe it will allow for a more objective assessment and comparison of lab research and clinical trial designs, ultimately fostering innovation in clinical development and leading to next-generation treatments in Parkinson’s.

health-medical-research2 years ago

"Revolutionary Method for Early Brain Disease Detection Unveiled"

The Michael J. Fox Foundation has made a groundbreaking discovery of a biomarker for Parkinson’s disease, allowing for the early detection of the disease before symptoms appear. The alpha-synuclein seeding amplification assay (SAA) can detect misfolded alpha-synuclein in spinal fluid with 90% specificity, providing a way to identify individuals with PD pathology before diagnosis. The breakthrough was achieved by using a scratch-and-sniff test to identify individuals with poor smell, a known predictor of brain disease. This development will revolutionize Parkinson’s research and care, potentially leading to widespread adoption of annual smell tests for early disease detection.

health2 years ago

The Hidden Dangers of Nanoplastics: A Growing Threat to Human Health

Nanoplastics, tiny particles found in the environment when plastic breaks down, have been identified as a potential risk factor for Parkinson's disease. Researchers have found that when these nanoplastics reach the brain, they can prompt the protein alpha-synuclein to clump and become toxic, a molecular hallmark of Parkinson's. The study highlights the increasing presence of nanoplastic contamination in food and water, particularly from single-use styrofoam, and calls for further investigation into the potential association between nanoplastics and Parkinson's disease.