Scientists have uncovered a possible reason why harmful proteins build up in the brains of people with Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia.
The discovery, from researchers at Scripps Research, could eventually point to new ways to slow the damage caused by these serious brain diseases.
Parkinson’s disease is best known for movement problems such as shaking, stiffness, slower movement and trouble with balance. As the disease progresses, some people also develop problems with memory, thinking, sleep and mood.
Lewy body dementia also affects thinking and movement. People may experience memory and attention problems, changes in alertness, visual hallucinations and symptoms that resemble Parkinson’s disease.
Although the two conditions are different, they share an important feature inside the brain. Both are linked to abnormal clumps of a protein called alpha-synuclein, which normally exists in healthy nerve cells and appears to have roles in how brain cells communicate.
Normally, cells have systems that identify damaged or unwanted proteins and break them down. But in Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia, alpha-synuclein can fold incorrectly and collect into harmful clumps instead of being removed.
These abnormal protein deposits can interfere with the normal work of brain cells and contribute to their death. Scientists also believe harmful forms of alpha-synuclein can move between cells, which may help explain how damage spreads through different areas of the brain over time.
The Scripps Research team focused on another protein called p62, which plays an important role in the cell’s waste-removal system. It acts somewhat like a helper that recognizes unwanted material and directs it toward the cell’s recycling machinery.
The researchers found evidence that p62 can be chemically changed in Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia. This change involves a process known as S-nitrosylation, which occurs when molecules related to nitric oxide attach to certain parts of a protein.
Nitric oxide itself has useful jobs in the body, including helping cells communicate and controlling blood vessels. However, unusually high levels of nitric oxide-related activity can change proteins in harmful ways, particularly when cells are already under stress.
According to the researchers, this chemical change prevents p62 from carrying out its cleanup role normally. When the system becomes less effective, abnormal alpha-synuclein is more likely to remain inside cells, form larger clumps and contribute to further brain damage.
The finding suggests a possible new treatment strategy. Instead of targeting alpha-synuclein only after large amounts have accumulated, future medicines might protect p62 from harmful chemical changes and help the brain’s natural waste-removal system continue working.
If researchers can keep p62 functioning properly, it may be possible to reduce the buildup and spread of damaging alpha-synuclein. However, much more research is needed before scientists know whether this approach can safely slow Parkinson’s disease or Lewy body dementia in people.
Researchers are also investigating other possible ways to protect brain cells, including the role of nutrients such as vitamins D and E. Vitamins and supplements should not be considered proven treatments for Parkinson’s disease based on this research, but studying the biological pathways involved may help scientists identify useful targets for future therapies.
The Scripps Research study adds another piece to the complicated puzzle of these diseases. By understanding why the brain’s protein-cleaning system begins to fail, scientists may eventually be able to develop treatments that address the disease process itself rather than only managing symptoms.
If you care about Parkinson’s disease, please read studies that Vitamin B may slow down cognitive decline, and Mediterranean diet could help lower risk of Parkinson’s.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how wheat gluten might be influencing our brain health, and Olive oil: a daily dose for better brain health..
Copyright © 2026 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
