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Alpha-synuclein oligomers: a new hope.

Abstract:
Alpha-synuclein is a protein implicated in Parkinson's disease and thought to be one of the main pathological drivers in the disease, although it remains unclear how this protein elicits its neurotoxic effects. Recent findings indicate that the assembly of toxic oligomeric species of alpha-synuclein may be one of the key processes for the pathology and spread of the disease. The absence of a sensitive in situ detection method has hindered the study of these oligomeric species and the role they play in the human brain until recently. In this review, we assess the evidence for the toxicity and prion-like activity of oligomeric forms of alpha-synuclein and discuss the advances in our understanding of the role of alpha-synuclein in Parkinson's disease that may be brought about by the specific and sensitive detection of distinct oligomeric species in post-mortem patient brain. Finally, we discuss current approaches being taken to therapeutically target alpha-synuclein oligomers and their implications.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1007/s00401-017-1755-1

Authors


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Institution:
University of Oxford
Oxford college:
Nuffield College
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
Physiology Anatomy & Genetics
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
Physiology Anatomy & Genetics
Role:
Author


Publisher:
Springer
Journal:
Acta Neuropathologica More from this journal
Publication date:
2017-07-01
Acceptance date:
2017-07-22
DOI:
EISSN:
1432-0533
ISSN:
0001-6322
Pmid:
28803412


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
pubs:724113
UUID:
uuid:b2b35738-d309-4286-8635-fa80ebc6a4b5
Local pid:
pubs:724113
Source identifiers:
724113
Deposit date:
2017-09-28

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