AlphaSyn
About Us
The deposition of protein inclusions in the brain, as a result of protein misfolding and aggregation is a common feature of various neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease. The same phenomenon is also observed in PD, characterized by the accumulation of aggregated forms of the presynaptic protein α-synuclein (aSyn) in the brain. Studies have shown that aggregated forms of aSyn are particularly toxic to neuronal cells. These neurotoxic aggregates may be smaller in size (oligomers) or larger (fibrils). Recent studies have shown that oligomers and small aggregates of aSyn are the most neurotoxic protein species and contribute the most to the pathogenicity of the disease. Consequently, inhibiting the formation of αSyn neurotoxic oligomers/aggregates would restrict the disease progression in the early stages, where the pathology is relatively localized and therefore more susceptible to therapeutic regimens.
