Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition where neurons in the brain slowly break down and die. Cell death is caused by the accumulation of a misfolded protein called α-synuclein, which spreads from neuron to neuron.

The mechanism by which α-synuclein spreads among cells, however, remains unknown. Now, a new study published in Nature Communications suggests that two membrane proteins—mGluR4 and NPDC1—are major players in transporting misfolded α-synuclein into healthy neurons after it escapes from dying neurons.

The finding could help develop more effective treatments for Parkinson’s disease, says senior author Stephen Strittmatter, MD, Ph.D., Vincent Coates Professor of Neurology and chair of the Department of Neuroscience at YSM.