Fri Feb 21 19:02:33 UTC 2025: ## Breakthrough in Parkinson’s Research: Scientists Identify Potential Therapeutic Target
**Bethesda, MD** – Researchers have identified a potential new therapeutic target for Parkinson’s disease (PD), a debilitating neurological disorder. A study published on a U.S. government website, details the discovery of FAM171A2, a gene linked to increased risk of PD, as a key player in the spread of toxic alpha-synuclein (α-syn) protein aggregates within the brain.
The research reveals that FAM171A2 facilitates the uptake of α-syn fibrils – clumps of misfolded protein implicated in PD – into neurons. Overexpression of FAM171A2 worsens the spread and toxicity of these fibrils, while reducing FAM171A2 levels in neurons provides a protective effect. Further investigation found that a specific part of the FAM171A2 protein directly interacts with α-syn fibrils, selectively binding them over 1000 times more strongly than other α-syn forms.
Significantly, the study also identified bemcentinib as a potential drug candidate capable of blocking the interaction between FAM171A2 and α-syn fibrils, showing efficacy both in laboratory tests and in animal models.
These findings suggest that FAM171A2 could serve as a novel therapeutic target for Parkinson’s disease. Further research is needed to fully explore the potential of bemcentinib and other similar compounds as treatments. This breakthrough offers a significant step forward in understanding and treating this devastating neurological condition.
First Piper 