Scientists May Have Discovered How Parkinson’s Disease Spreads Through the Brain

Yale researchers found that neuron surface proteins mGluR4 and NPDC1 bind misfolded α-synuclein and help move it into healthy brain cells.

In mouse experiments, disabling these proteins reduced α-synuclein pathology, Parkinson’s-like symptoms, and risk of death.

The findings help explain how toxic α-synuclein spreads between neurons in Parkinson’s disease.

This could open the door to treatments that slow or block disease progression.