Neuroinflammation via T-cell Response in Parkinson's and Lewy Body Diseases

Dr. Sulzer explores a radical new hypothesis in this study: could Parkinson's disease be significantly characterized as an autoimmune disorder, where immune system response, rather than toxic protein accumulation, causes Parkinson's the cell damage? Dr. Sulzer's lab has found two markers of immune response present in people with Parkinson's. Though this work relates to the current focus on the key Parkinson's protein called α-synuclein, it suggests that this protein's greatest impact may be downstream from its synthesis and misfolding. By focusing on studying tissue from people with Parkinson's and not models, Dr. Sulzer hopes to provide a greater understanding of Parkinson's.