Parkinson’s disease and Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) are serious brain conditions that affect millions of people in the U.S. These diseases cause problems with movement, such as shaking and stiffness. As they get worse, they can also lead to memory loss and confusion.
Scientists have been working for many years to understand these diseases better and find new treatments. Now, a team of researchers at Scripps Research has made an important discovery that could help slow the progress of Parkinson’s and LBD.
At the center of both diseases is a protein called alpha-synuclein. In healthy brains, the body removes old or extra proteins. But in people with Parkinson’s and LBD, alpha-synuclein builds up and sticks together in clumps. These clumps hurt brain cells and can spread from one cell to another, making the disease worse over time.
The body has a cleanup system that helps get rid of these unwanted proteins. A key part of this system is a protein called p62. It helps cells clear out the proteins they don’t need. But in people with Parkinson’s and LBD, p62 is not working the way it should.
The researchers found that a process called S-nitrosylation is changing p62 and stopping it from doing its job. This happens because of high levels of nitrogen molecules in the brain, especially nitric oxide. When p62 is not working, alpha-synuclein clumps grow and spread, making the disease more harmful.
This discovery is important because it gives scientists a new idea for how to fight these brain diseases. If they can stop p62 from being damaged by nitrogen molecules, they might be able to stop alpha-synuclein from building up in the brain. This could help slow or even stop the diseases from getting worse.
The scientists are also studying whether vitamins like vitamin E and vitamin D could help. These vitamins are already known to support brain health. Now, researchers want to see if they can also protect p62 and help it do its job.
Although there is still a lot of work to be done, this research offers hope. By learning more about what makes Parkinson’s and LBD worse, scientists are getting closer to finding treatments that could help people live better, longer lives. This discovery could lead to new ways to slow down or stop these diseases in the future.
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 © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
