Parkinson’s disease and Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) are two serious brain illnesses that affect many people in the United States and around the world.
These diseases make it hard for people to move properly. Over time, they can also cause problems with memory, thinking, and behavior.
People with these conditions may have shaking hands, stiff muscles, slow movements, and may become confused or forgetful.
Scientists have been working for many years to understand why these diseases happen and how to treat them better. Now, researchers from Scripps Research have made a big discovery that might help slow down the progress of these diseases.
Both Parkinson’s and LBD are linked to a protein in the brain called alpha-synuclein. In a healthy brain, the body gets rid of old or damaged proteins so that they don’t cause harm. But in people with Parkinson’s and LBD, alpha-synuclein doesn’t go away as it should.
Instead, it sticks together and forms clumps. These clumps can damage brain cells and even move from one cell to another, making the disease get worse with time.
To clean up unwanted proteins, the body uses another protein called p62. This protein is like a tiny trash collector inside cells. It helps get rid of waste and keeps the brain clean and healthy. But the scientists found that in Parkinson’s and LBD, p62 isn’t doing its job properly.
The problem seems to be caused by a chemical change called S-nitrosylation. This change happens when there are too many nitrogen-related molecules in the brain, especially something called nitric oxide.
These molecules attach to p62 and stop it from working the way it should. As a result, alpha-synuclein clumps start to build up more and more, harming brain cells and making the illness worse.
This finding is exciting because it opens the door to new ways to treat or slow down these brain diseases. If scientists can figure out how to stop these nitrogen molecules from damaging p62, they might be able to stop the buildup of harmful protein clumps in the brain. This could slow down the disease or maybe even stop it from getting worse.
Researchers are also exploring whether some vitamins might help. For example, vitamin E and vitamin D are already known to support brain health. Now, scientists are studying whether these vitamins could also protect p62 and help it keep working properly.
Even though we are still far from finding a complete cure, this study gives new hope. Every discovery like this brings us one step closer to better treatments. For the millions of people affected by Parkinson’s disease and Lewy Body Dementia, this research could one day lead to real changes in their lives—helping them stay healthier for longer.
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