Targeting Dysfunction in Protein Biology

The hallmark of PD pathology is the formation of protein aggregates (Lewy bodies), and there is abundant genetic data linking the primary constituent of Lewy bodies, alpha-synuclein, to PD.  Therefore, significant interest exists in developing PD therapies targeting protein handling and aggregation. At this time, therapeutic approaches are in pre-clinical testing; clinical studies have yet to be conducted to target this mechanism for PD.